Many leading engineering programs in the U.S. accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) as proof of English proficiency for international applicants, including MIT, Purdue, Caltech, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UT Austin, UC San Diego, Carnegie Mellon, and Johns Hopkins University.
Acceptance policies can vary by degree level and individual program, so always check the current English proficiency requirements for the program you plan to apply to.
The US offers engineering students an enormous range of options
Engineering covers a lot of ground. U.S. universities offer programs in established disciplines such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and chemical engineering, alongside fields such as computer engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science, environmental engineering, and aerospace engineering.
Students can also learn within some of the world's leading research ecosystems, where engineers work on challenges ranging from sustainable infrastructure and medical technology to robotics and artificial intelligence.
Your interests can help narrow the search. A future biomedical engineer might prioritize access to medical research, while an aerospace student might look for specialized laboratories and industry partnerships. Computer engineering students may want opportunities to work across hardware, software, robotics, and AI.
Once you have a shortlist, English proficiency requirements become another important part of comparing programs.
These US engineering programs accept the Duolingo English Test
International students can use the DET when applying to some of the country’s most respected engineering programs, with options spanning everything from aerospace and biomedical engineering to computing and robotics:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) accepts the DET and is internationally renowned for engineering, science, and technology. Students and researchers work across fields including aerospace, computing, materials, and biological engineering.
- Purdue University accepts the DET and offers engineering programs across disciplines including aerospace, mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, and biomedical engineering.
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech) accepts the DET and offers a research-intensive environment focused on science and engineering, with opportunities for students to work across disciplines.
- Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts the DET and offers programs across a broad range of engineering disciplines, with particular strengths in research, computing, and technology.
- Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin accepts the DET and offers programs in aerospace, architectural, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering.
- Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California San Diego accepts the DET and offers programs spanning engineering and technology, supported by UC San Diego's broader strengths in computing, medicine, and the sciences.
- Carnegie Mellon University accepts the DET and is particularly well known for engineering, computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
- Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University accepts the DET and offers programs in areas including biomedical engineering, robotics, computing, materials, and environmental engineering.
These are just a few examples of U.S. engineering programs that accept the DET. As you explore your options, remember to check the requirements for your specific degree and department. And explore our complete list of accepting institutions to discover even more places your DET score can take you!
Your engineering goals can help you find the right program
Rankings can provide one useful starting point, but your interests, career goals, and preferred learning environment can help you build a more meaningful shortlist.
Think about what you want to study and eventually build. A student interested in sustainable cities might explore civil or environmental engineering. Someone fascinated by spacecraft could look at aerospace engineering. Students interested in healthcare might consider biomedical engineering, while those drawn to AI and robotics could explore electrical, computer, or mechanical engineering.
Location can shape your experience, too. Studying in Pittsburgh, Austin, San Diego, or the Boston area can connect you with different industries, research communities, internships, and career opportunities.
Start with the field you want to explore, identify programs that match your goals, and then compare their admissions and English proficiency requirements.
The DET can help you take the next step toward studying engineering in the US
Once you've found engineering programs that fit your goals, the DET offers an accessible way to demonstrate your English proficiency. The test costs $70 USD, you can take it online from home, and certified results are typically available within 48 hours.
Before taking the test, check each engineering program's current English proficiency requirements, including whether it accepts the DET and what score you need. Then you can focus on the bigger question: What do you want to engineer?