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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