Duke University
Durham, NC · Private
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See the full analysis — freeAdmission rate
Duke University admitted 5.2% of applicants university-wide (2,910 of 55,541).
| Cohort | Admit rate | Admitted | Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| University-wide | 5.2% | 2,910 | 55,541 |
| In-state2024-2025 | 7.9% | 377 | 4,748 |
| Out-of-state2024-2025 | 6.3% | 1,995 | 31,906 |
| International applicants2024-2025 | 3.9% | 585 | 15,141 |
| Men | 5.4% | 1,390 | 25,641 |
| Women | 5.1% | 1,520 | 29,900 |
In-state, out-of-state and international are from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set — the newer file doesn't break out residency.
Of 2,910 admitted students, 1,749 enrolled (60.1% yield).
Duke University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C1–C2 · 2025 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.
Test scores and GPA of admitted students
- SAT (mid-50%)
- 1510–1570
- ACT (mid-50%)
- 34–35
- GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
- 4.00–4.00
Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)
Duke University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C9–C12 · 2025 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.
Cost and financial aid
Published cost of attendance: $99,548/yr.
| Out-of-state tuition | $73,740 |
| Fees, housing, food, books & other | $25,808 |
| Sticker cost of attendance | $99,548/yr |
Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)
| Under $30k | $735 |
| $48k–75k | $5,706 |
| $75k–110k | $17,100 |
| Over $110k | $54,230 |
US applicants
Need- and merit-based aid available.
- Angier B. Duke Memorial Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
- Benjamin N. Duke Scholarship — Full cost of attendance (Full Ride)
- Duke International Need-Based Grant — Varies (meets full demonstrated need) (Need Based)
- Duke University Grant (Need-Based) — Varies (Need Based)
- Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
- Robertson Scholars Leadership Program — Full tuition, fees, room and board, plus summer enrichment funding (Full Tuition)
International applicants
Meets full demonstrated need for internationals.
- Angier B. Duke Memorial Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
- Benjamin N. Duke Scholarship — Full cost of attendance (Full Ride)
- Duke International Need-Based Grant — Varies (meets full demonstrated need) (Need Based)
- Duke University Grant (Need-Based) — Varies (Need Based)
- Karsh International Scholarship — Full tuition, room, board, mandatory fees, plus a laptop and enrichment funding (Full Tuition)
- Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
- Robertson Scholars Leadership Program — Full tuition, fees, room and board, plus summer enrichment funding (Full Tuition)
Duke University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections G–H · 2025
Application requirements
US applicants
- Common Application
- High School Transcript
- Secondary School Report with Counselor Recommendation
- Two Teacher Recommendations
- First Quarter Grades (Early Decision only)
- Midyear Grade Report
- SAT and/or ACT Scores (optional)
- Arts Supplement (Dance, Music, Photography, Film/Video/Digital, Theater) (optional)
- Personal Recommendation (optional)
- Alumni Interview (optional)
- Glimpse Video (optional)
- Schoolhouse Certification/Portfolio (optional)
- Application fee
International applicants
- Common Application
- High School Transcript
- Secondary School Report with Counselor Recommendation
- Two Teacher Recommendations
- First Quarter Grades (Early Decision only)
- Midyear Grade Report
- SAT and/or ACT Scores (optional)
- Arts Supplement (Dance, Music, Photography, Film/Video/Digital, Theater) (optional)
- Personal Recommendation (optional)
- Alumni Interview (optional)
- Glimpse Video (optional)
- Schoolhouse Certification/Portfolio (optional)
- Application fee
- English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
- GPA credential conversion
- Predicted Class XII marksheet
- Financial documentation (I-20)
Duke University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025
Essay prompts
The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 3 college-specific supplements:
- Tell us about an intellectual experience, project, class, or discussion that sparked your curiosity and made you think differently.250 words · Required
- What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you?250 words · Required
- We want to know more about you. Use this space to share anything you'd like us to know that is not already reflected in your application.Optional
Draft these in the free Essay Coach
Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026
Graduate outcomes
- Median earnings
- $97,800
- Median earnings · 10 years after entry
- Graduation rate
- 96.8%
- Within 150% of normal time
- First-year retention
- 97%
- Return for year two · CDS Section B
- Median debt
- $13,000
- At graduation
Duke University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.
Published rankings
- U.S. News National: #7
- WSJ: #68
- Forbes: #22
- Niche: #14
- QS: #62
Deadlines
- 2026-11-01Early Decision — Binding early round
- 2027-01-02Regular Decision — Standard deadline
Duke University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C21–C22 · 2025
Academics and campus
Largest degree fields: Computer & information sciences (15%), Interdisciplinary studies (14%), Social sciences (13%).
Student–faculty ratio: 7:1 · 71% of class sections have under 20 students.
Duke University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections E, F, I · 2025 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.