School Location:

DURHAM, NC

School Type:

PRIVATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

How difficult is it to get into Duke?

Admissions at Duke are highly selective—for the Class of 2027, 6.3% of the nearly 50,000 applicants were accepted. The Early Decision acceptance rate was higher than the Regular Decision acceptance rate, at 16.5% and 5.2%, respectively. The middle 50% of SAT scores ranged from 1520-1570, while the middle 50% of ACT scores ranged from 34-35.

What is the campus like at Duke?

Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina, a small city home to big companies like IBM, Credit Suisse, and Biogen. Over 150 years old, Durham has a long history and a flourishing arts and food scene. The city will provide many welcome opportunities for adventure when you’re in need of a study break or a weekend night out.

Duke comprises two campuses located in close proximity to one another in Durham. East Campus features Georgian-style buildings, spacious quads, and several residence halls. It is also home to the iconic East Campus Union, where students gather for dining, studying, and socializing. Known for its stunning Gothic architecture, West Campus is where most of Duke’s academic and administrative buildings are located, including the iconic Duke Chapel. This area also houses many upperclassmen residences, libraries, research centers, and the Duke University Hospital. The West Campus is the heart of academic life, with lecture halls, laboratories, and faculty offices.

Freshmen typically live on East Campus; however, since you’ll be required to live on campus for three years, you’ll likely live on West or Central Campus as an upperclassman. Duke has 600+ student organizations, including the Duke Disability Alliance, the Black Student Alliance, and the International Association. With hundreds of clubs to choose from, you’ll be sure to find your niche, and maybe explore something you haven’t before.

Duke’s campus is designed to cater to all aspects of student life. There are numerous dining options, including the Marketplace on East Campus and the Brodhead Center on West Campus. Student unions, such as the Bryan Center, host a variety of events, activities, and student organizations.

The university’s libraries, such as the Perkins Library and the Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, provide extensive resources and study spaces. Duke’s commitment to research is evident in its numerous specialized research centers and laboratories across disciplines.

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, located on West Campus, are a highlight of the university, offering 55 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Students and visitors alike enjoy the serene environment for relaxation, study, and outdoor activities.

What is Duke known for?

Duke is known for its competitive basketball team and its dedicated Blue Devil fanbase, known as “Cameron Crazies.” Students are even known to camp outside of the basketball stadium for weeks prior to a game for coveted seats.

Duke is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States and globally and is particularly known for its programs in business, law, medicine, engineering, public policy, and the sciences. As a leading research institution, the university attracts significant funding and produces groundbreaking research across various fields. The Duke University Medical Center is particularly noted for its contributions to medical research and healthcare innovation.

Many leaders in business, entertainment, and politics call Duke their alma mater. Famous Duke University graduates include President Richard Nixon, Apple CEO Tim Cook, CBS Sports President Sean McManus, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist William Styron, philanthropist Melinda Gates, and television personality Charlie Rose.

How diverse is Duke?

Duke is diverse in multiple aspects, including racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic diversity. In the Class of 2027, 55% of students identified as female, 45% as male. Additionally, 13% of students identified as Hispanic/Latinx, 35% as Asian, 13% as Black or African American, 1.2% as Native American, and 53% white. Fourteen percent of students were international, while 86% were domestic. Students also came from diverse educational backgrounds, with 58% from public school, 25% from independent schools, and 13% from schools outside of the U.S.