Higher Learning
arrow_back Back to Directory
Featured Institution

Duke University

A+

Grade

6%

Acceptance

$23,100

Net Price

1470-1560

SAT Range

location_on Durham, NC
• www.duke.edu •
star star star star star_half
887 reviews
expand_more
expand_more

What the School is Known For

From the School

Duke University, founded in 1838 and re-established in its current form in Durham, North Carolina in 1924, is one of the country's leading research universities and a world-renowned center for medicine, law, environment, and the liberal arts. Duke's School of Medicine and its affiliated health system form one of the top academic medical centers in the country.

Duke's distinctive culture combines the intellectual energy of a major research university with the community feel of a residential undergraduate college. The Gothic West Campus and the Gardens are among the most beautiful academic settings in the United States.

The Student Body

From the School

Duke enrolls approximately 6,700 undergraduates and 9,300 graduate and professional students. The undergraduate student body is academically exceptional and athletically engaged — Duke has an unusually high rate of varsity athletic participation for a research university.

Duke students are known for their strong school spirit, their passion for basketball, and a culture of collaboration that transcends the competitive academic environment.

Getting In

From the School

Duke's acceptance rate is approximately 7%, reflecting its position among the most selective universities in the country. Duke reviews applications holistically, looking for academic excellence, personal distinction, and the potential to contribute to the campus community.

Duke offers Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision options. The University is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Academic Programs & Research

From the School

Duke's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and Pratt School of Engineering together offer more than 50 majors and 55 minors. Duke's signature Bass Connections program allows undergraduates to work on real-world research projects spanning public health, technology, democracy, and the environment alongside faculty and graduate students.

The Duke Global Health Institute, the Nicholas School of the Environment, and the Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative are among the interdisciplinary programs that give Duke students access to resources rarely available at the undergraduate level.

Life on Campus

From the School

Duke's Gothic West Campus, the Georgian East Campus (home to first-year students), and the Research Triangle setting create a campus of exceptional beauty and intellectual energy. Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of Duke Basketball, is among the most famous venues in college sports and a genuine center of student culture.

With over 400 student organizations, the Duke Student Government, and a thriving arts scene, campus life is dynamic year-round. The Research Triangle — Duke, UNC, and NC State — creates a broader regional community of ideas and opportunities.

Living & Getting Involved

From the School

All first-year students live together on East Campus in one of eight residential halls, creating a cohesive transition community. Upperclassmen move to West Campus, where they select housing in one of 10 residential houses that anchor social and academic programming.

Each West Campus house has its own dining, social spaces, and programming staff. Students can also live in selective living groups or theme houses that focus on specific academic or cultural interests.

Athletics & Recreation

From the School

Duke competes in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) and fields 27 varsity sports in NCAA Division I. Duke Basketball, under the legendary coaching of Mike Krzyzewski for decades, is one of the most decorated programs in college sports history.

The Wilson Recreation Center, the Duke Aquatics Center, and outdoor courts and fields serve the fitness and recreational needs of students beyond varsity athletics. Club and intramural sports programs are extensive and widely participated.

Student Support Services

From the School

Duke's Academic Resource Center provides tutoring, academic coaching, and learning strategy workshops. Each residential house on West Campus employs a House Dean who supports students' academic and personal development throughout the year.

The Duke Career Center provides counseling, recruiting events, alumni connections, and specialized programs for students interested in medicine, law, research, consulting, and nonprofit service.

Wellness & Mental Health

From the School

Duke's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free individual therapy, group counseling, crisis intervention, and psychiatric evaluation. CAPS has expanded its services significantly, adding same-day crisis appointments and after-hours support lines.

DukeReach is a proactive outreach program that identifies and supports students who may be struggling, connecting them with counseling, housing, financial, or other resources before challenges become crises.

Plan a Campus Visit

From the School

Duke Undergraduate Admissions offers information sessions and student-led tours on weekdays and select Saturdays from September through April. Tours cover both the Gothic West Campus and the Georgian East Campus, giving prospective students a full sense of the physical environment.

Blue Devil Days in April invite admitted students to campus for an immersive two-day program of classes, student life events, and one-on-one conversations with faculty and current students.

Career Outcomes & Placement

From the School

Duke graduates are sought after in medicine, law, consulting, finance, public policy, and research. The Duke Career Center's recruiting programs and alumni network connect students with employers across every sector.

Duke's location in the Research Triangle — home to major pharmaceutical, biotech, and technology companies — provides extraordinary internship and job opportunities close to campus. Large proportions of each graduating class pursue graduate study in medicine, law, and doctoral programs.

Fields of Study

From the School

Public Policy, Computer Science, Biology, Economics, and Psychology are among Duke's most popular undergraduate majors. The Pratt School of Engineering offers programs in Biomedical, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering with strong links to Duke's medical center and research institutes.

Duke's Program II allows students to design entirely individualized majors, reflecting the university's commitment to flexibility and intellectual ambition.

Cost of Attendance

From the School

Duke's undergraduate tuition is approximately $65,000 per year, with total cost of attendance — including room, board, and fees — reaching approximately $85,000 annually. Duke's financial aid program significantly reduces the net cost for aided students.

Duke has committed to increasing grant aid and reducing student loan requirements as part of its ongoing efforts to improve affordability and access.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

From the School

Duke meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. The Duke financial aid package is grant-first and uses no required loans; families with incomes below $65,000 typically pay nothing.

Duke Knight-Hennessy and other merit scholarship programs recognize exceptional students with full or partial funding beyond need-based aid. The Duke financial aid office also supports international students with a limited pool of need-based funding.

Social Media

YouTube Channel

Watch videos and lectures from Duke University on YouTube.

Open YouTube Channel
arrow_back Back to Directory language Official Website