Duke University
Durham, NC · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 5.7%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 46,365
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 3,145
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 1,742
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 55%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 6.8%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 6.8%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 740–770
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 760–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 34–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 50% / 31%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- not considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- not considered
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $87,072
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,758
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,758
- Median debt at graduation
- $13,000
- Students with federal loans
- 14%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 97%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 98%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $74,497
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $97,800
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 6,442
- Graduate students
- 10,976
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 5 : 1
- Women
- 54%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 14%
- Full-time faculty
- 94%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Vincent Price
- Main phone
- (919) 684-8111
- Address
- 103 Allen Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 2 | mid-December |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | late March/early April |
- Apply with
- Common App, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $85 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 2 required short essays (250 words each) + up to 3 optional (250 words)
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers; 1 optional personal recommendation
Testing: Test-optional for 2026–27; self-reported scores accepted
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: Some merit-based aid offered alongside need-based aid
- No loans for families earning under $65,000; loans capped at $5,000/year above that
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: admissions.duke.edu, admissions.duke.edu, financialaid.duke.edu, financialaid.duke.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.