Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Northeastern Duolingo levels by programme
From Northeastern's undergraduate international applicants page, the graduate international students page and the College of Engineering graduate admissions page.
| Level or programme | Duolingo minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 130 to 140 (estimate) | Not a cut-off or a guarantee of admission |
| Graduate, College of Engineering | 105 | Select College of Engineering at Northeastern University when sending |
| Robotics, Computer Science concentration | Not accepted | Follows Khoury College's requirements |
| Other graduate colleges | Vary by college | Check your programme |
Northeastern's Duolingo rules
Most non-native English-speaking undergraduate applicants must send official results from a valid English test, and the Duolingo English Test is on the accepted list. The graduate page says preferred minimums and accepted exams vary by college.
The College of Engineering exempts applicants who are citizens of, or hold a degree from an accredited institution in, listed English-speaking countries, and those with a full degree taught only in English. Its page states no Duolingo subscores or validity period.
For comparison, the undergraduate page gives IELTS Academic 7.5 to 8.0, and the College of Engineering sets IELTS at 6.5 overall.
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If your Duolingo score is below Northeastern's level
The College of Engineering encourages Master of Science applicants who miss its TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo minimums to apply first to Northeastern's Global Pathways Program. For the Canadian campuses, applicants using Student Direct Stream must meet the four language abilities rules, and other applicants are welcome to apply with TOEFL or IELTS.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Northeastern programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What Duolingo score does Northeastern need for undergraduates?+
Northeastern gives 130 to 140 as an estimating range and says it is not a cut-off.
What Duolingo score does Northeastern engineering need?+
A minimum of 105 for graduate programmes in the College of Engineering.
Does every Northeastern programme accept Duolingo?+
No. The Computer Science concentration of Robotics does not, and accepted exams vary by college.
What if my Duolingo score is too low for Northeastern engineering?+
Master's applicants are encouraged to apply first to the Global Pathways Program.
Keep reading
Related
- Northeastern University IELTS requirement
- Syracuse Duolingo requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- Duolingo English Test score chart
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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