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Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
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Admit Rate
6%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Ultra-Selective
Cost of Attendance
$87,072
per year, before aid
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional‡ (source: Duke admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026)

Data sourced from Common Data Set (Institutional), Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy and deadlines checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years of math through calculus4 years of lab science4 years of English3-4 years of a single foreign languageRigorous AP/IB course load

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. Duke admissions
Essays
The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
Recommendations
2 teacher recommendations, a counselor recommendation, a mid-year report. Common App requirements grid
Portfolio
Portfolios go through SlideRoom. Common App requirements grid
Application fee
$85. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Decision (binding) November 2, Regular Decision January 4. Duke admissions
Overall
6%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1500-1570
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Computer Science
  2. 2Interdisciplinary Studies (other)
  3. 3Nursing
  4. 4Quantitative Economics
  5. 5Biology
  6. 6Public Policy Analysis
  7. 7Research and Experimental Psychology
  8. 8Computer Engineering
  9. 9Political Science
  10. 10Biomedical Engineering

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so Duke University may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: Duke admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026)
Early Decision
November 2 · Binding
Regular Decision
January 4 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$85
Common App fee waiver
Accepted
Common App personal essay
Required
Portfolios collected through
SlideRoom
Recommendations
2 teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, mid-year report

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division I (FBS)
Varsity sports (15)
BaseballBasketballFencingField hockeyFootballGolfLacrosseRowingSoccerSoftballSwimming and divingTennisTrack and field and cross countryVolleyballWrestling
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Flagship Programs

Pratt School of Engineering - Biomedical EngineeringSanford School of Public Policy

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
EconomicsBiomedical EngineeringComputer SciencePublic PolicyBiology
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Program II (self-designed major)Markets & Management StudiesGlobal Health

Cost

Cost of attendance, per year
$87,072* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
Tuition $68,758* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$735
$30,001 – $48,000
-$361
$48,001 – $75,000
$5,706
$75,001 – $110,000
$17,100
Over $110,000
$54,230

A negative figure means the average aid package was larger than the school's full cost of attendance — those families were paid the difference rather than billed.

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

Duke is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need with no loans for most families; it does not offer traditional merit scholarships outside of a small number of highly selective named programs (e.g., the joint Robertson Scholars program with UNC).

Merit scholarships only Duke University gives

You apply for these separately, often before the regular admission deadline. Miss the date and you can still be admitted, but you won't be considered.

Robertson Scholars Leadership Program

Full ride
Its own deadline: Nov 15
  • Eight semesters of full tuition, room and board and most fees, plus funding for up to three summers.Robertson FAQs
  • It's a separate application, due Nov 15, on top of your Duke application. Students of any citizenship can apply.Robertson: high school students
  • You're only considered at the schools you apply to. Apply to both Duke and UNC to be considered at both.Robertson FAQs

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Durham, North Carolina· Urban
Undergraduates
6,525
Setting
Urban
In a fraternity or sorority
36% of students
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†Duke admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026

‡Duke admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026

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