Overview
Duke University is a private institution that was founded in 1838. It has 6,488 undergraduate students and an expansive 8,693-acre campus as of fall 2023. Its academic calendar is semester-based. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, Duke is ranked #6 for National Universities. Tuition and fees are $69,140.
At-a-Glance
Setting: N/A
Tuition & Fees: $69,140
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,488
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Duke University Rankings
To get a better idea of what Duke has to offer, here’s its ranking across different categories:
National Recognition
#6 in National Universities (tie)
#16 in Best Value Schools
#20 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie) (at schools with doctorate degrees)
Engineering & Tech Fields
#3 in Biomedical Engineering (doctorate-granting schools)
#3 in Civil Engineering (doctorate-granting schools)
#3 in Computer Engineering (doctorate-granting schools)
#3 in Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engineering (doctorate-granting schools)
#9 in Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (doctorate-granting schools)
#3 in Mechanical Engineering (doctoral-granting schools)
Computer Science & Related Fields
#9 in Artificial Intelligence
#9 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
Top performer in Cybersecurity and Data Analytics/Science
Other Key Programs
#2 in Nursing (tie)
#8 in Psychology Programs (tie)
#15 in Economics (tie)
#3 in Writing in the Disciplines
#11 in Study Abroad (tie)
#10 in Learning Communities (tie)
#4 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects
#3 in Service Learning (tie)
#9 in First-Year Experiences (tie)
#14 in Senior Capstone (tie)
#11 in Co-ops/Internships (tie)
#10 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
#11 in Most Innovative Schools
#106 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
How Duke Ranks Nationally
Duke University is #6 out of 436 National Universities. Rankings are based on widely accepted measures of academic excellence.
U.S. News Overall Score: 94/100
Outcomes (52%)
6-year graduation rate: 96%
6-year graduation rate (Pell Grant recipients): 96%
6-year graduation rate (non-Pell Grant recipients): 96%
Faculty Resources (11%)
Student-faculty ratio: 5:1
(Other measures such as social mobility rank and expert opinion scores are locked behind U.S. News Compass.)
Admissions & Applying
Duke is highly selective with a 7% acceptance rate. Middle 50% of admitted students have:
SAT scores of 1520–1570
ACT scores of 34–35
January 2 application deadline, with an $85 fee.
What Duke Considers Important
Very Important: GPA, letters of recommendation
Important: High school class rank (when available)
Tuition, Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees (2024-25): $69,140 (higher than the national average of $47,890)
Total Cost (including housing, food, etc.): $89,853
Average Net Price (after aid): $27,082
Net Price by Family Income (2021-22)
Family Income Average Cost
$0–$30,000 $3,931
$30,001–$48,000 $2,025
$48,001–$75,000 $10,076
$75,001–$110,000 $17,506
$110,001+ $49,945
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio: 5:1
Small Classes (under 20 students): 73.6%
Freshman Retention Rate: 98%
Most Popular Majors (2023 Graduates)
Computer & Information Sciences (18%)
Social Sciences (16%)
Engineering (14%)
Biological & Biomedical Sciences (13%)
Mathematics & Statistics (7%)
Student Life
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 6,488
Gender Breakdown: 46.5% male, 53.5% female
Housing: 85% on campus, 15% off campus
Athletics: NCAA Division I
Total Enrollment (Fall 2023)
Undergraduate: 6,488
Graduate: 10,624
Pell Grant Recipients (2022-23): 14%
Campus & Safety
Duke offers several student services, including:
Women’s center
Career placement
Health services & insurance
Safety Measures
24/7 security patrols (foot & vehicle)
Late-night transport/escort service
Emergency phones & well-lit pathways
Controlled dorm access (keycards, etc.)
Alcohol allowed for legal-age students
