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Duke University Acceptance Rate for Indian Students

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Duke University Acceptance Rate
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Duke University was established in 1838 in Durham, USA, by James B. Duke. According to Duke University ranking, it consistently ranks among the top 100 universities in the World and ranked #6 in National Universities, #16 in Best Value Schools, and #62 in World University Rankings. 

Students across the globe apply for Duke University admissions, of which India is one of the top five countries contributing to the international student population.

Duke University Acceptance Rate 2025

Duke University received over 59,800 applications, of which the university admitted 2,800 applicants and offered them the opportunity to enroll on the Duke University campus. As a result, the Duke University acceptance rate 2025 stands at 4.8%, making the criteria for DU admissions extremely selective. As per the latest available data, the number of student enrollments for the class of 2029 so far has been 840, of which 736 applied under the Early Decision plan. 

Particulars 

Class of 2028 

Class of 2029 

Student Applications Received 

54,194 

59,850 

Students Admitted 

2,925 

2,802 

Acceptance Rate 

5.4% 

4.8% 

Students Enrolled 

1,732 

849 and counting 

Duke University Acceptance Rate for International Students

Duke University currently houses a grand total of 17,500 students on its campus, of which 6,900 account for undergraduates, while 10,200 are graduate and professional students. The international students make up over 3,000 of the total student body, and the top five countries of origin are the United Kingdom, China, Canada, South Korea, and India. Duke University acceptance rate for international students of just 4.8% suggests that getting into the university is moderately tough for foreign and local students alike. 

Particulars 

Fall 2024 Headcount 

Undergraduate 

6,917 

Graduate/Professional 

10,233 

International Students 

3,000+ 

Total Students 

17,499 

The student demographics for the crowd enrolled at Duke University can be checked out from the table given below, sourced from official sources:

Ethnicity/Race 

Headcount of Students 

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic 

88 

American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic 

235 

Black or African American, non-Hispanic 

3,248 

Hispanic/Latino 

3,467 

Asian, non-Hispanic 

8,789 

White, non-Hispanic 

9,289 

Duke University Acceptance Rate Trends

Duke University has been receiving an increased number of applications from prospective students. The number of applications has gone up from 49,500 for the class of 2025 to 59,800 for the class of 2029, which is an increase of more than 10,000 applicants. The number of students admitted, on the other hand, ranges between 2,800 - 3,100. As a result, Duke University acceptance rate has been gradually dipping, standing at 4.8% for the class of 2029. 

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% 

Duke University Acceptance Rate: Early Decision vs Regular Decision

Every year, Duke University admits international students through Early Decision as well as Regular Decision. Usually, the university’s early decision acceptance rate is higher in comparison to the regular decision acceptance rate. Early decision allows applicants to apply to a university earlier than the regular decision.

On average, the Duke University Early Decision acceptance rate stands at 12.9%. Whereas, the Duke University Regular Decision acceptance rate has been recorded at 4.1%. Students can refer to the table given below to get a rough idea of the early decision enrollment statistics. 

Particulars 

Class of 2028 

Class of 2029 

Applications Received  

6,240 

6,627 

Applications Accepted 

806 

849 

Early Acceptance Rate 

12.9% 

12.8% 

Duke University Requirements for International Students

Indian applicants applying to Duke University are required to meet the academic as well as English language requirements. The Duke University entry requirements are given below:

Undergraduate-Level Requirements

  • Official transcripts for all academic work completed in high school, post-secondary, or summer coursework
  • First-quarter/marking-period grades for all Early Decision applicants to be submitted with the Common or Coalition Application
  • Mid-year grades for all applicants

Graduate-Level Requirements

  • A four-year US Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. The institute must be accredited by the governing educational body of the country (like the Ministry of Education). No specific cut-off is set by the university
  • MCAT/LSAT: Not more than five years old, calculated from August 1 of the application year. There is no absolute cut-off for these scores.

Also check Duke University Cost

Duke University English Language Requirement

Duke University admission requirements for international students include proof of proficiency in the English language as a major entry requirement. Students are advised to refer to the table below for accepted exams and their minimum score requirements:

English Language Exam

Score Required UG

Score Required PG

TOEFL

Minimum 100

90 & Above

IELTS

7 & Above

7 & Above

PTE

70 & Above

Not required

Duolingo

120 & Above

115 & Above

Duke University Average GPA, SAT & ACT Scores

There is no compulsion to appear for one of the standardized tests (SAT/ACT) or other entrance exams like GMAT/GRE for postgraduate courses. However, international students can submit these scores to improve their chances of getting selected at Duke University. The minimum scores are listed below:

Entrance Exams

Minimum Score Requirements

SAT

1490 or higher

ACT

34 or higher

GMAT

670 or higher

GPA

4.1

Tips to get selected at Duke University

Duke University is an incredibly competitive university to attend; thus, students must submit outstanding academic marks as well as succeed in extracurricular activities. Along with this, they must follow the tips below to get into Duke University smoothly:

  • Make sure the student plans to achieve the required grades for the course they've chosen. Different courses may have different subject requirements, especially in the sciences.
  • Thoroughly go through the requirements of the exam syllabus to demonstrate commitment to the subject, students have chosen, as well as the ability to study independently.
  • Students must demonstrate that they are self-starters and capable of organizing, planning, and conducting job-related research. Then connect these to the skills required for the course.
  • Organize your time: Juggling social, academic, and other obligations can be difficult, so creating and sticking to a schedule is essential.
  • Maintaining good physical and mental health: These are crucial for academic success. Make sure the student gets plenty of sleep, eats well, and exercises often.

Also check Duke University Courses

Duke University Acceptance Rate vs Purdue University Acceptance Rate

When it comes to the Purdue University acceptance rate, it has been recorded to be 49.8%, which makes it a less competitive university to get into. However, with an acceptance rate of 4.8%, Duke University is considered to be more selective in its admission criteria.

Purdue University admissions are less selective than compared of Duke University. However, international students must be at the top of their class to study here. Also, they excel in activities outside class to enhance their chances of getting admitted to the university for their higher studies.

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FAQs

Q:   Is Duke a hard University to get into?
A: 

Duke University acceptance rate is 4.8%, meaning that out of every 100 students who apply to Duke University admissions, the university is likely to admit just 4 or 5 of them, offering them the opportunity to enroll on the Duke University campus. This suggests that the university's admissions are extremely competitive. Thus, it can be concluded that it is indeed difficult to get into Duke Universiy. 

Particulars 

Class of 2028 

Class of 2029 

Student Applications Received 

54,194 

59,850 

Students Admitted 

2,925 

2,802 

Acceptance Rate 

5.4% 

4.8% 

Students Enrolled 

1,732 

849 and counting 

Q:   How many students get into Duke each year?
A: 

Each year, Duke receives more than 50,000 applications from prospective students, of which the university admits a mere 2,800-3,000 students. The admission trends for UG students at Duke University over the years can be checked out from 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% 

Q:   What GPA do you need to get into Duke?
A: 

A GPA of at least 4.13 is needed for international students to get into Duke University. If a student’s GPA is lower than this, they can compensate with a higher SAT or ACT score. Also, they can create an impression in the rest of the application by adding prior experience in the desired field.

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Currently an English major at DU, I create content for study abroad universities on Shiksha. Besides writing, I also enjoy art and music.

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