Duke University Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is Duke University to get into?

This page provides the latest information on Duke University (Duke)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Duke's acceptance rate is 5.71% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 51,795 students applied and 2,957 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is very low, which means it is very hard to get into Duke.

To apply to Duke, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission.

Explore Duke University

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, Duke's acceptance rate is 5.71% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 58.84%. 24,298 men and 27,497 women applied to Duke and 1,388 men and 1,569 women students were accepted.

Among them, 824 men and 916 women were enrolled in Duke. You can explore the Duke's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at Duke
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants51,79524,29827,49700
Admitted2,9571,3881,56900
Enrolled1,74082491600
Acceptance Rate 5.71%5.71%5.71%--
Yield 58.84%59.37%58.38%--

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Duke University 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

For the academic year 2025, 824 students (48% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 526 students (30% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Duke.

The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,540, including 760 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 780 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 770 and the 25th percentile is 740. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 800 and the 25th percentile is 760.

The median ACT composite score is 35, with a 75th percentile score of 35 and a 25th percentile score of 34 at Duke. The median ACT Math score is 35 and the median ACT English score is 35.

How competitive is Duke's score?

The SAT and ACT scores at Duke University are relatively high compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,497, ACT: 34 - private (not-for-profit) research university with very high research activity).

2025 SAT and ACT Scores at Duke
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total1,5001,5401,570
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing740760770
SAT Math760780800
ACT Composite343535
ACT Math323535
ACT English353536

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Duke University 2025 SAT and ACT Score Chart

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, Recommendations, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Duke. The english proficiency test is not required, but considered.

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Duke University.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

Duke Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankNot Considered
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramRequired
RecommendationsRequired
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesNot Considered
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestNot Considered
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceConsidered, if submitted
Personal statement or essayRequired
Legacy statusConsidered, if submitted

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to Duke:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: www.admissions.duke.edu/
  • Online Application: admissions.duke.edu/application/instructions
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

Duke Admission Frequently Asked Questions

Duke is extremely competitive to get into, with an acceptance rate of 5.71%.
Duke recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Duke is 1,540, and the average ACT score is 35. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, Duke requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, Duke requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
Duke does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Duke requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Duke does not require or recommend an English proficiency test for international applicants. However, requirements may vary by program, so check the official admissions website for details.

The institutional SAT code for Duke is 5156 and 4-digit ACT code is 3088.

Ratings & Review

Share your experiences and thoughts about Duke University. It will be a great help to applicants and prospective students!

Be the first reviewer
Compare Rivalry Schools
The following schools are frequently compared to Duke. Compare them with important perspectives.
Similar Colleges
The schools below are similar in school type, level, and location.
Most Searched North Carolina Colleges (last 30 days)
Related Articles and Ads