Duolingo English Test vs. TOEFL: Which One Gets You Into a U.S. University?

You are ready to study in the United States. There is just one small gatekeeper standing between you and that acceptance email: an English proficiency test. Two names keep coming up, the Duolingo English Test (DET) and the TOEFL iBT, and everyone online seems to have a different opinion. Good news: after more than 35 years guiding international students to U.S. universities, we can make this decision simple.

The 15-second answer: The Duolingo English Test is cheaper, faster, and taken from your couch. The TOEFL is pricier and more traditional, but it is accepted almost everywhere on the planet. Take the DET if every school on your list accepts it. Take the TOEFL if even one of them requires it.

The head-to-head, at a glance

Before we dig into the details, here is how the two tests stack up side by side in 2026.

Format and length: quick vs. classic

The DET wraps up in about an hour: roughly 5 minutes of setup and ID checks, 45 minutes of adaptive questions that get harder or easier based on how you answer, and a 10-minute writing and speaking sample. No breaks, no scheduling, no test center required. You just need a quiet room, a webcam, and stable internet.

The TOEFL iBT now runs about 1.5 to 2 hours. Its January 2026 redesign trimmed the Reading and Listening sections and made them adaptive, so it is shorter and more practical than the old version. You will still cover all four skills (Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking), and yes, you can take notes on scratch paper. You can sit it at an authorized center or at home with a live proctor.

Price: where wallets get involved

This is where the difference gets loud. The DET costs roughly $65 to $70, sends your scores to as many schools as you like for free, and delivers results in about 48 hours (or 12 hours if you pay a small rush fee). The TOEFL usually runs $200 to $270 depending on your country, closer to $270 in the United States, and adds fees for extra score reports and rescheduling. If cost is your deciding factor, the math is not subtle.

Scoring: two tests, two number systems

The two tests speak different numeric languages. The DET is scored from 10 to 160 in 5-point steps. The TOEFL, after its 2026 update, reports a new 1 to 6 scale alongside the familiar 0 to 120 total during the transition period. Both line up with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is how admissions offices actually compare them.

Not sure what your DET score would look like as a TOEFL score? Skip the guesswork and run the numbers through our Duolingo to TOEFL and IELTS score converter.

Which test is easier?

Neither, and do not trust anyone who promises otherwise. The TOEFL leans on denser academic vocabulary and longer passages, which rewards stamina and strong note-taking. The DET is fast, adaptive, and shorter, which many students find less draining, though speaking into a webcam under a ticking clock rattles some people. The single best predictor of your score is a practice test, not a rumor. Better yet, a few focused weeks with a teacher who knows exactly what each test rewards.

University acceptance: the deciding factor

This is the one that should drive your choice. The TOEFL is accepted at more than 13,000 institutions in over 160 countries, which is about as universal as it gets. The DET is growing quickly and is now accepted at 6,500-plus institutions, including most U.S. universities and many top ones. A handful of selective or specialized programs have not adopted it yet, so confirm your list on the official TOEFL website and the Duolingo English Test institution list before you book anything.

Here is a secret plenty of students miss: you might not need either test. Students who complete Level 6 with us are admitted to partner schools including Hillsborough Community College, St. Leo University, Schiller International University, and Full Sail University with no IELTS or TOEFL required. Curious? See exactly how you can study in the USA without IELTS or TOEFL.

So, which one should you take?

Choose the DET when every school on your list accepts it: you save money, save time, test from home, and get results in about two days. Choose the TOEFL (or take both) when any target program requires it, when you want the widest possible recognition, or when you simply prefer a more traditional academic test. When you are unsure, verify acceptance and score minimums directly on each university's admissions page, because policies change every year.

How we get you test-ready (and visa-ready)

Whichever test you pick, walking in prepared beats walking in hopeful. We prepare students for both the DET and the TOEFL through private, semi-private, and group classes, on-site in sunny Tampa and Sarasota or fully online, taught by TEFL-certified teachers who know precisely what these tests are looking for. We shape the schedule around your life, whether you are studying for business, admissions, or the pleasure of finally feeling fluent.



And when it is time for the paperwork, we have you covered there too. We help you change status, get the visa, etc. Our DSOs and PDSOs can help with getting the visa, even with the new immigration law under the Trump administration; we make it much easier for you to change the visa status. If you want a clear overview of the process before you begin, the U.S. student visa basics from the Department of State are a solid starting point.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, the Duolingo English Test or the TOEFL?
The DET, by a wide margin. It runs about $65 to $70 with free score sends, while the TOEFL usually costs $200 to $270 plus fees for extra reports.

Is the Duolingo English Test accepted by U.S. universities?
Yes, by most of them, including many top schools. It is not yet universal, so confirm your specific programs accept it before you test.

Is the DET easier than the TOEFL?
It depends on you. The DET is shorter and faster; the TOEFL is longer with denser academic content. Both are secure, valid measures of your English. Preparation, not format, decides your score.

How long are my scores valid?
Both the DET and the TOEFL are valid for two years.

Do I even need one of these tests to study in the U.S.?
Not always. Finish Level 6 with us and you can enter our partner colleges and universities with no IELTS or TOEFL at all. Ask us how.

Your future is too important to leave to a guess. Book a class, meet your teacher, and turn "I hope I pass" into "I passed." On-site in Tampa and Sarasota, or online anywhere. Enroll or ask a question.

Test formats, prices, score scales, and university acceptance policies change over time. Always verify current details on the official Duolingo English Test and TOEFL websites and on each university's admissions page before you register.