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Top 2026 US News Ranked National Universities Accepting the Duolingo English Test

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The Duolingo English Test is accepted by over 6,000 schools and universities around the world, including all eight Ivy League schools. 98 out of 100 of the top US News ranked best universities, including the University of Chicago, Duke, and the University of California, Berkeley, accept the Duolingo English Test.

All of the schools in this list provide financial aid to international students except Berkeley. However, even if a school provides financial aid, it may not have need-blind admissions for international students.

Princeton University

In this year’s US News & World Report ranking, Princeton took the top spot and was ranked the #1 Best Value School. Princeton is one of the most prestigious US institutions, enrolling about 5,800 undergraduates on its 3,500-acre suburban campus in New Jersey.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: An English proficiency test is required, but there are no required minimums. Other Ivy League schools require 130 overall on the DET, so that’s a good target.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #1
  • Student-faculty ratio: 5:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 67%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: Yes

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Ranked #2 in National Universities, MIT is a world leader in science, engineering, and innovation. The school enrolls about 4,600 undergraduates on its urban Cambridge campus.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Minimum of 120 overall
  • US News 2026 ranking: #2
  • Student-faculty ratio: 3:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 56%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: Yes

Harvard University

Coming in at #3 among National Universities, Harvard is the oldest US university and a global leader in academics and research. Its undergraduate enrollment is over 7,000 students across a vast 5,603-acre campus.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Harvard requires an English proficiency test, but it doesn’t have required minimums.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #3
  • Student-faculty ratio: 7:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 55%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: Yes

Stanford University

Stanford is ranked #4 in National Universities (and #4 in Lowest Acceptance Rates), reflecting its status as one of the most selective schools in the world. The university enrolls nearly 8,000 undergraduates on its 8,180-acre suburban campus in California’s Silicon Valley.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Stanford does not require an English proficiency test, but if your high school education was not conducted in English, you should submit a score. Required minimums at similar schools are 130 overall on the DET, so that is a good target.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #4
  • Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 49%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

Yale University

Yale is ranked #4 in National Universities and #3 in Best Value Schools. It offers a world-class education to its approximately 6,800 undergrads on its 1,108-acre suburban campus in New Haven, Connecticut.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: There is no hard minimum, but the admission office notes that the most competitive applicants have DET scores that are 120 and above.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #4
  • Student-faculty ratio: 5:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 49%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: Yes
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For more information about which countries and universities accept the DET, check out our other article: Duolingo English Test Acceptance by Country in 2025: Everything You Need to Know

University of Chicago

Ranked #6 in National Universities, the University of Chicago is renowned for its rigorous academics and intellectual tradition. Its 217-acre urban campus enrolls about 7,500 undergraduates and follows a quarter-based academic calendar.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: UChicago does not require an English proficiency test, but if the language of instruction of your high school was not English, it’s a good idea to submit one. Similar schools require 130 overall on the DET, so that is a safe target.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #6
  • Student-faculty ratio: 5:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 34%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

Duke University

Duke ranks #7 in National Universities, and it combines academic excellence with a vibrant campus culture in Durham, North Carolina. Its 8,693-acre campus is home to about 6,500 undergraduates

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: No English proficiency test is required, but they recommend submitting one if you’re not studying in an English-language medium institution. The admissions office specifies that they expect at least 130 overall.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #7
  • Student-faculty ratio: 5:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 41%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

Johns Hopkins University

Tied with Duke, Johns Hopkins also comes in at #7 among National Universities. Hopkins is globally recognized for its research excellence and medical programs. Located on a 140-acre urban campus in Baltimore, it enrolls about 6,300 undergraduates.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: An English proficiency test is not required, but highly recommended if you score below 690 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section of the SAT or below 30 on both the ACT Reading and English sections. The admissions office specifies that competitive applicants typically get an overall DET score of 120 with the the following subscores:
  • Literacy: 125
  • Conversation: 120
  • Comprehension: 135
  • Production: 105
  • US News 2026 ranking: #7
  • Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 52%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

Northwestern University

Northwestern University, also ranked #7 in National Universities, combines strong academics with a large 231 acre urban-suburban campus outside of Chicago. With more than 9,000 undergraduates, students benefit from a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, a wide range of academic programs, and access to world-class research and internships in the city.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Northwestern doesn’t have required minimums, but judging by the required minimums of similar schools, 130 is a good target.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #7
  • Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 43%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn), ranked #7 in National Universities, combines Ivy League prestige with an urban campus in Philadelphia. With more than 10,000 undergraduates, Penn emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and strong career pathways through its renowned business, engineering, and liberal arts programs.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Penn encourages applicants to score at least 130 to be competitive.
  • US News 2026 ranking: #7
  • Student-faculty ratio: 8:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 46%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Ranked #11 in National Universities, Caltech is one of the smallest but most prestigious U.S. institutions, enrolling fewer than 1,000 undergraduates on its 124-acre suburban campus in Pasadena, California. With a 3:1 student-faculty ratio, it offers unparalleled access to faculty and research opportunities.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: 130 overall and 130 in each subscore
  • US News 2026 ranking: #11
  • Student-faculty ratio: 3:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 51%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

Cornell University

Ranked #12 in National Universities, Cornell is an Ivy League school with one of the largest undergraduate enrollments—over 16,000 students on its 745-acre rural campus in Ithaca, New York.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: 130 overall minimum
  • US News 2026 ranking: #12
  • Student-faculty ratio: 9:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 48%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

Brown University

Ranked #13 in National Universities (and #2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching), Brown is known for its flexible “Open Curriculum,” allowing students to design their own academic path. With nearly 8,000 undergraduates on its 146-acre urban campus in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown combines rigorous academics with a collaborative culture.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Minimum of 130 overall
  • US News 2026 ranking: #13
  • Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 47%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: Yes

Dartmouth College

Ranked #13 in National Universities, Dartmouth combines Ivy League prestige with a close-knit learning environment. The school has just over 4,500 undergraduates on its 237-acre campus in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Minimum of 135 overall
  • US News 2026 ranking: #13
  • Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 54%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: Yes

Columbia University

Ranked #15 in National Universities, Columbia offers world-class academics in the heart of New York City. Its 9,000+ undergraduates benefit from close mentorship alongside the opportunities of a global metropolis.

Quick Facts

  • DET cutoff: Minimum of 135 overall
  • US News 2026 ranking: #15
  • Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
  • % of first-years receiving support: 51%
  • Need-blind admissions for international students?: No

University of California, Berkeley

Ranked #15 in National Universities (and #1 in Top Public Schools), UC Berkeley is one of the most globally recognized public universities, with more than 33,000 undergraduates on its 1,200-acre campus in the Bay Area.

Quick Facts:

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