5 Videos,
Duke University: Rankings, Fees, Programs, Scholarships
- Private University
9000 acre campus- Estd. 1838
Last updated on 5 Dec '25Duke UniversityWhat's new?
- Admissions are now open for the 2026-27 session at Duke.
- Regular Decision deadline for UG courses is Jan 5, 2026
- Fall Semester Deadline for PG courses is Jan 15, 2026
About Duke University
Established in 1838, Duke University is a private research university based in Durham, North Carolina. Accredited by SACSCOC, it is popular among Indian students for its diverse campus environment, strong placement record, and the overall quality of education and research.
Home to the world's largest collection of lemurs, the Scientists at Duke are credited with creating the first invisibility cloak, and its basketball program is considered among the best in the country, having won five NCAA Championships.
Considered among the best universities in the US, it is home to more than 17,000 students, with nearly 50% of its UG students receiving financial aid. Similar to the Ivy League Universities, it is divided into 10 Schools and Colleges that cover Arts, Science, Engineering, Business, Public Policy, Law, and Medicine.
As an Indian student, you would need to pull up your socks if you wish to study here, as the Duke University Acceptance Rate stood at 4.8% for the Class of 2029.
Duke University Information
Given below are some interesting facts that are worth knowing about studies at Duke.
|
Duke University |
Validation |
|---|---|
|
Location |
Durham, North Carolina, USA |
|
Founded by |
James Buchanan Duke |
|
Average GPA |
3.7 on a 4.0 scale |
|
Endowment (2024) |
USD 11.9 Billion |
|
Total Students (Fall 2024) |
17,499 |
|
Undergraduate Students |
6,523 |
|
Graduate and Professional Students |
10,976 |
|
Total Tenured Professors |
1,655 |
|
Student to Faculty Ratio |
8:1 |
|
Newspaper |
The Duke Chronicle |
|
Sporting Affiliation |
NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference |
History
The university began as the Union Institute Academy, a small preparatory school in Randolph County, before being chartered as a teaching college by the state of North Carolina, reason why it changed its name to Normal College in 1851. Braxton Craven took over as its principal in 1842, a position he held for four decades. In 1859, it received a donation from the Methodist Church, and to reflect the same renamed itself to Trinity College with John F Crowell as the President.
It received significant financial help from the Duke Endowment, set up by James Buchanan Duke, son of Washington Duke, an American Industrialist, in honor of whom the university is named.
Check out the videos below to know more about life as a student at Duke.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Duke University courses are taught through 10 schools. These courses span multiple fields such as Humanities, Science, Teaching, Management, Engineering, etc. Also, the university also offers master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 80 departments, along with certificate programs and dual and joint degrees.
Duke's top 5 majors for all undergraduate courses are Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy, Biology, and Electrical & Computer Engineering.
Some of the factors to choose the Duke University Master of Engineering Management program are:
- An excellent student experience and distinctive resources
- The Duke University wiill aslo conduct workshops for its students. Students can gain up-to-the hour marketable business knowledge
- There is a team-based learning
- The university follows a case-study method where in one can analyze real world, complex business solutions
The Duke University is named after Washington Duke, a member of the Dukes family in Durham.
Duke was a tobacco manufacturer by profession & played a key part in the development of the institution, with his son: James Duke investing around USD 40 million from the Duke Endowment Fund in 1924, after the death of his father.
As a memorial to Washington Duke & his family's faith, the institute's then president: William Few, decided to rename the institute.
A GPA of at least 4.13 is also required. You must make up the difference if your GPA is below this with a higher SAT/ACT score. You'll also need to make an impression on them with the rest of your application for a prestigious institution like Duke.
Duke University Ranking 2026
When it comes to the best universities in the world, Duke is always part of the conversation. This remains true for 2026 as well, as it sits alongside the best universities on a national and global scale, as part of rankings given by the likes of Shiksha, US News, and QS World. The Duke University Ranking is #17 in the US and #41 in the world per the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings.
By Other Ranking Bodies
It has dropped one spot from its last year's US News rank of #6, and now sits #7 among all colleges and universities in the US for 2026. It follows a similar trend in the QS Rankings 2026 as well, dropping one spot to sit at #62 in the world for 2026. It does maintain its status, however.
#41
#17
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Duke University is known for research programs and quality education in UG. The school has a reputation for its competitive admissions excellent academics championship level athletics, and global presence and is known as one of finest institutions in the South, if not country.
Acceptance rate at Duke stands at around 4.8%. That of UCLA stands at around 9%. It can be said that both are very picky at granting admission to students with Duke being marginally more selective.
As per reviews posted by students on Shiksha Study Abroad, the Duke University students are described as “welcoming *& inclusive” to international students. The student population is said to include a number of Indian students & one student describes the cultural shift as “not too big”.
The faculty is described as “helpful & well-versed”, with “lots to explore” as part of the university campus.
Yes, Duke is a Tier 1 research institution, one that is known to conduct a high volume of research & incur large volumes of research expenditure over the course of an academic year.
The institute is known to spend in excess of USD 800 million on research costs every year. The institute conducts a number of research experiments, mainly focusing on healthcare & environmental well-being. Some major areas of focus include: cancer treatment, organ transplant & heart surgery.
Duke University Courses
You can choose from more than 63 majors, 61 minors, and 23 certification courses at the UG and more than 80 programs at the PG level of studies at Duke University. Most courses at Duke can be pursued on a part-time basis, while some are also available online.
Duke University Popular Majors
Computer Science, Biology, Public Policy, Economics, and Psychology are the most pursued majors among students at Duke, as of Fall 2024.
Duke University Online Courses
You can also study at Duke from the comforts of your home, as the university offers several courses online, via its own and some external platforms. These are skill-development programs that can be pursued in fields like Business Value Creation, Developing Explainable AI or xAI systems, and Climate Science.
4.0(3)10 months - 4 years
We can fast-track your application in a week.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
The Duke University Faculty network consists of 4,236 members as per the latest data (Fall 2024), made available by the institute.
Given below is a breakdown of the school-wise breakdown of faculty members:
Schools & Colleges | Tenure/Tenure Track | Other Regular Rank |
|---|---|---|
Arts & Sciences | 504 | 223 |
Engineering (Pratt) | 135 | 49 |
Divinity | 28 | 13 |
Nicholas School | 48 | 20 |
Law | 48 | 37 |
Fuqua | 90 | 14 |
Sanford School of Public Policy | 38 | 30 |
Medicine | 730 | 2,108 |
Nursing | 34 | 49 |
University Interdisciplinary Centers (UIC’s) | - | 38 |
Total | 1,655 | 2,581 |
Duke University Admission 2026
You can submit either a Common Application or a Questbridge Application for Admission to Duke University. If you're applying to a UG course, applications are sent based on the Early or Regular Decision deadlines set by the university. For PG courses, the university accepts applications for either the Fall or Spring semester.
Duke University Application Deadline 2026
Send in your applications by the deadlines given below.
| Application Type | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Regular Decision - UG | Jan 5, 2026 |
| Fall Semester - PG | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Transfer Students - UG | Mar 15, 2026 |
| Spring Semester - PG | Oct 30, 2026 |
| Early Decision - UG | Nov 3, 2026 |
Duke University Eligibility Criteria
The requirements can vary for different courses. However, given below is the general eligibility every student needs to meet to study at Duke.
- Documents of past studies
- Statement of Purpose
- Prove Proficiency in English
- Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Supplementary Documents (as per the course)
Duke University Undergraduate Requirements
You would need to submit English-translated versions of all your high-school and Class 12th completion certificates. Though the university does not have a specific GPA requirement, an equivalent of 75% is needed, along with a solid non-academic portfolio. Valid scores in tests like the SAT or the ACT are also accepted, while some courses may also need you to submit essays and clear a personal interview round. An overall IELTS score of 7, or a TOEFL-iBT score of 100, is good enough to prove your English proficiency.
Duke University Graduate Requirements
For PG courses, you should have completed a 4-year UG degree from a recognized Indian college or university. If you don't have a 4-year UG degree, you would have to get it evaluated by a third-party service like WES. You would also need to submit a Life Experiences Statement, while some courses also require a valid GRE score.
- Application fees :USD 75 - 225
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Documents| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|---|
| SOP | Needed for few courses |
| LOR | Needed for few courses |
| Essays | Needed for few courses |
| CV | Needed for few courses |
| Additional documents | Required |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
As such, there is no minimum requirement for Duke University MBA course. But, according to the Class Profile of 2025, the GMAT score range is 670 – 760. Other MBA course admission requirements are:
- Academic transcripts
- Essays
- 1-page Business resume
- Letters of recommendation
- GMAT/ GRE scores
Per unofficial sources, the minimum GPA needed for student athletes to get into Duke is 3.5. or higher on a 4.0. scale. The institute conducts a holistic admission process i.e. it's admissions team takes into account both academic & non-academic aspects of a student's application.
GRE is optional for the 2024 cycle for Duke University MEM course. Other Duke University admission requirements for international students for MEM are:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Short answer essays
- Resume
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Video introduction
- English language proficiency test scores
At Duke University, undergraduate students are required to pay a fee of USD 85 along with the Common Application or Coalition Application. Moreover, Duke University graduate school applicants need to pay a fee of USD 95. Both payments can be made via Visa or MasterCard. Both the Common Application and Coalition Application also accept payments via electronic checks. Checks must be for payment in USD and must be drawn from a US bank. For Master in Engineering programs application fee of USD $75 is required, which can be paid by credit card within your online application.
Duke UniversityDuke University Scholarships
The university understands that not everyone can have the finances needed to pursue higher studies, and does give scholarships to Indian students based on need and merit. However, scholarships are very limited as a foreign student, and if you wish to get your studies sponsored, make sure to submit your application on time and meet the eligibility criteria.
| Scholarship Type | Scholarship Name | Financial Award | Course Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need or Merit-based | Karsh International Scholarship Program | Varies | UG |
| Merit-based | KC Mahindra Scholarships for Studies Abroad | USD 11,200 (INR 10 L) | PG |
How to get a Scholarship at Duke?
The scholarship requirements can vary for different programs. However, there are certain general conditions that everyone needs to meet, as given below.
- Should be an International student
- Demonstrate financial need
- Maintain excellent academic scores
- Should not be receiving financial aid from any other source
- Apply for admission to Duke with the required documents
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Yes, Duke University offers merit scholarships to international students and every admitted applicant is considered for a merit scholarship.
Merit scholarship recipients are selected by an Admissions Merit Scholarship Committee. The criteria for selection are prior academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and professional accomplishments. These awards are for the 2-year duration of the MBA programme and range from partial tuition to full tuition.
Fuqua's merit scholarships are awarded on a 2-year basis to enable applicants to plan for the entire cost of a Fuqua education. There is no funding for new awards in the second year. Thus, students who enroll without scholarship funding the first year should not anticipate an award for the second year of the program.
The merit scholarship awards are made independent of determining a student's eligibility for student loans and work-study employment.
The institution is only known to offer merit based academic scholarships to students, who have shown great potential in their respective academics.
Mentioned below are some popular academic scholarships offered by the university to its students:
· Alumni Endowed Scholarship
· Angier B. Duke Scholarship
· Benjamin N. Duke Scholarship
· Karsh International Scholarship
· David M. Rubenstein Scholarship
· Trinity Scholarships
· University Scholarship
Duke University Popular Courses
10 monthsDuke UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
17 Verified Reviews- 56% students never faced discrimination in this university
Duke University Placements
The Career Resource Center at Duke provides ample placement-related support, with guidance on how to write a strong resume, mock interviews, help map out a career path, networking opportunities, and finding jobs that best match your profile.
Duke University Placement Rate
Around 98.5% of the Class of 2024 graduates who were surveyed were either employed, pursuing higher education, or participating in Military or Volunteer Service. Given below is a lowdown on key stats associated with Placements at Duke University.
| Duke University Placements | Validation |
|---|---|
| Employed Full-time | 77% |
| Continuing Education | 20% |
| Enrolled in Military or Volunteer Service | 1.5% |
| Status Unknown | 1.5% |
ROI After Education
While the university is not known to have released any official figures for the salaries earned by Class of 2024 graduates, it has released the salary figures for the Class of 2025 at the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. Here's how it compares to the initial investment in tuition made by students.
| College | Average Tuition (Investment) | Salary (Return) |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity College of Arts and Sciences | USD 35,132 (INR 31.58 L) |
Average Base Salary: USD 106,286 (INR 95.54 L) Median Base Salary: USD 100,000 (INR 89.88 L) Average Sign-On Bonus: USD 16,666 (INR 14.98 L) |
1 USD = INR 89.89
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Duke University is known for their placment rate and salary offered to their graduates. Moreover, Duke University is one of the oldest universities in the United States. Employees who graduate from Duke University earn an average of USD 196k, mostly ranging from USD 153k per year to USD 623k per year based on 605 profiles. The top 10% of employees earn more than USD 263k per year.
Duke University Cost
USD 70,265 (INR 63.15 L) is what it would cost to pursue a UG course at Duke, while USD 67,724 (INR 60.86 L) is what you would expect to spend for 9 months in a Master's course at Duke. The Duke University MBA fees are USD 81,000 (INR 72.79 L).
Cost of Living
Given below is a breakdown of the estimated cost of living for Indian students at Duke.
| Cost of Attendance Component | Cost in USD | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | USD 660 | INR 59.3 K |
| Housing | USD 13,842 | INR 12.43 L |
| Food | USD 4,320 | INR 3.88 L |
| Local Transportation | USD 2,088 | INR 1.87 L |
| Personal & Misc | USD 4,374 | INR 3.93 L |
| Total - Living Expense Per Semester | USD 25,284 | INR 22.72 L |
| Total - Living Expense Per Term | USD 50,568 | INR 45.44 L |
Source: Duke University
1 USD = INR 89.87
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(36 courses) | INR 31 L - 74 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 10 months-4 years Exam Accepted: PTE, Duolingo: 125 & Above, IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, GRE, GMAT |
MBA/PGDM(6 courses) | INR 44 L - 74 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 10 months-2 years Exam Accepted: PTE, Duolingo, IELTS: 7 & Above, GMAT, GRE |
MEM(1 course) | INR 62 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months Exam Accepted: GRE, IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 125 & Above |
MEng(13 courses) | INR 52 L - 67 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 16-24 months Exam Accepted: IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, GRE, TOEFL |
B.E. / B.Tech(24 courses) | INR 56 L - 59 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, PTE: 70 & Above, Duolingo: 130 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, SAT, ACT |
B.Sc.(13 courses) | INR 56 L - 58 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, TOEFL |
M.A.(20 courses) | INR 23 L - 58 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 125 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above |
BBA(4 courses) | INR 56 L - 58 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, PTE, Duolingo |
B.A.(31 courses) | INR 56 L - 58 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, PTE, Duolingo |
LL.M.(1 course) | INR 67 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
For international graduates, the Duke University Masters in Computer Science fees for 2023-24 is USD 62, 620 (excluding living expenses).
In INR, the first year tuition fee will be INR 52,19,377.
Other expenses are mentioned below:
Other expenses in 1st Year
Fees components | Amount |
|---|---|
Hostel & Meals | INR 17,20,344 |
Insurance | INR 2,92,558 |
Transportation | INR 1,63,533 |
Graduate Student Services Fee | INR 1,917 |
Total | INR 21,78,352 |
To be eligible for this programme at Duke University you need to fulfill the requirements mentioned below:
- Applicants must hold either a US bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution.
- A student entering graduate study in computer Science should have suitable undergraduate preparation in mathematics and computer science.
- Applicants must have a strong undergraduate grounding in the fundamentals of calculus, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics, and basic knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and one or more higher-level computing programming languages; some undergraduate research experience is preferred
- IELTS -7/9
Duke UniversityStudent profile
Others
59%
Asian
21%
Hispanic
10%
Black
8%
Out of state
76%
In state
12%
Foreign
11%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
Duke University Notable Alumni
Creating Tech giants, Managing Sports Leagues, Entertaining People, and representing the country on a global stage is what graduates of Duke University are known for. Given below are the popular names to have done these things and more after their studies at the university.
| Name | Known For | Alumnus |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Cook |
American Businessman CEO of Apple and former COO under founder Steve Jobs Graduated with an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business in 1988 |
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| Adam Silver |
American Sports Executive and Lawyer Commissioner of the NBA Graduated with a BA in Political Science in 1984 |
 |
| Melinda French Gates |
American Philanthropist Ex-Wife of American Businessman Bill Gates Graduated with a BS in Computer Science and Economics in 1986, followed by an MBA in 1987 |
 |
| Ken Jeong |
American Actor and Stand-Up Comedian Known for his role as Leslie Chow in The Hangover Trilogy Began his acting career at the Duke Drama and Hoof n' Horn |
 |
| Kyrie Irving |
American Basketball Player 9-time NBA All-Star and Olympic Champion Pursued a course in Sociology and played for Duke's basketball team, the Duke Blue Devils |
_(cropped).jpg) |
College comparison
Compare Duke University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 30.64 L - 74.04 L | #7 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 25.75 L - 71.65 L | #6 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 19 L - 80.67 L | #7 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 29.54 L - 71.46 L | #20 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 34.52 L - 81.13 L | #7 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 28.17 L - 37.27 L | #879 US News, 2023 |
CompareDuke UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Duke University Campus
There's an energetic vibe when you're at the Duke University Campus, in large part thanks to the presence of students from more than 80 countries, over 100 student clubs and organizations, student events almost every other day, and an active athletics program, among other things.
Duke University Campus Location
Spread around 8,000 acres, Duke maintains 3 campuses, namely West Campus, East Campus, and the Central Campus. It also maintains its presence outside the US, with the Duke Kunshan University in China and the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore.
Duke University Campus Life
- You can take part in the weekly and monthly student activities organised by student societies across Music, Theater, Science, Technology, and Sports. The AI Competition Club is very popular for its hackathons on workshops, as is the Allied Scholars for Animal Protection.
- For housing, the university maintains separate facilities for freshmen and students in the higher years of their studies. This includes single rooms, double rooms, suites, and apartments, all of which come equipped with all essential services like beds, community kitchens, common rooms, gaming spaces, laundry, and shared bathroom facilities.
- When it comes to food, there are several dining halls present across campuses, most notably, the 'Tandoor', an Indian dining hall that caters to both the vegan and those who prefer non-veg food. There are also multiple cafes where you can enjoy a nice beverage and dessert with friends, and some also have their own mobile app for food ordering and delivery.
- The Duke Student Affairs offers several support services to students, including wellness and mental health services, academic and technical help, and career guidance.
Commonly asked questions On Others
No, Duke University does not maintain off-campus accommodation facilities. Interested candidates must refer alternative housing portals such as: nearduke.com, DukeList, University Living, & ForRentUniversity among others to find student accommodation in the city.
The university does offer accommodation as part of its multiple residential houses located at walking distance from the university campus, that offer all essential facilities associated with living at Duke such as: bedroom, kicthen with stove & refrigerator, laundry facilities, vending machines, shared bathrooms, etc.
The main difference between them comes in residential offerings. The West campus is organized into quadrangle residential facilities which is not the case with East Campus, that has individual houses & residential halls.
Living at East Campus is limited to only first-year students, & it does not maintain accommodation facilities for Selected Living Groups or Greek Organizations.
Per unofficial sources, of the overall UG enrollment - 6488 students of Class of 2023 around 53.5% i.e. 3471 students are girls. The remaining 46.5% students i.e. 3016 students are boys.
The same source states 85% students live as part of university maintained residential housing, while remaining 15% live as part of off campus accommodation facilities.
Durham is considered a good place to live for international students. Described by locals as the 'green state', there's tons of things to do for students in North Carolina. There are many outdoor spaces, & multiple walking & hiking trails for students to visit. The food scene is pretty diverse with multiple great food places to hang out with friends at including: Mad Hatters Cafe, JuJu Durham, Press Coffeee & Enzo's Pizza among others.
Duke University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
International students should have a UG degree to fulfill the qualification, and submit all the documents like transcripts, LOR, English language requirements, and more. Students can check the requirements below:
- Must have a UG degree
- Transcripts
- English language test score
- SOP
- Resume
- Two LOR
- GMAT or GRE
E
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
International students can expect between USD 85K and USD 95K after studying MEM programs at the Duke University. Students can choose roles like Product Manager, Technical Program Manager, Business Analyst, and more.
N
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
An unofficial source says, Duke University acceptance rate is 4.8% for the Class of 2029. There is no specific acceptance rate for MEM programs. Students should fulfill the basic qualification and submit all the documents like transcripts, LOR, English language requirements, and more.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Duke University is one of the most popular universities in the USA. It offers a 1-year MEM programme to international students. The programme is available in fields like Data Analytics, Innovation Management, Financial Engineering, and Biotechnology, and more. The university provide big opportunitie
G
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 months ago
Each year, Duke receives over 50,000 applications, of which the university admits a mere 2,800-3,000 students. The UG admission trends at Duke over the years can be seen in the table given below:
Class | Number of Applications Received | Number of Students Accepted | Duke University Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
2029 | 59,850 | 2,802 | 4.8% |
2028 | 54,194 | 2,925 | 5.4% |
2027 | 49,476 | 3,115 | 6.3% |
2026 | 50,002 | 3,085 | 6.17% |
2025 | 49,517 | 2,854 | 5.7% |
R
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Study Abroad Expert
Duke University
Duke University Aerial View
Duke Chapel
Pratt School of Engineering
Duke UniversityLocation
| University City | Durham, North Carolina, USA |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 2,63,000 |
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