More selective than 100% of North Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
50% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 31% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Duke University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Duke University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Duke University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- Essay
- SAT/ACT scores
- Interview
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Duke University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Duke University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 770 |
| SAT math | 760 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1500 | 1570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Duke University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 6% | 740–770 | 760–800 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 7% | 740–770 | 770–800 | 34–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Duke University compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Duke University has the lowest acceptance rate of 56 North Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University | 6% | 97% | $29,612 |
| 2 | Davidson College | 13% | 91% | $17,379 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 15% | 91% | $11,655 |
| 4 | Wake Forest University | 22% | 89% | $28,719 |
| 5 | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 23% | 71% | $17,618 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts | 30% | 78% | $14,906 |
| 7 | Saint Augustine's University | 34% | 25% | $24,313 |
| 8 | Carolina University | 40% | 22% | $20,828 |
| 9 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 42% | 85% | $17,303 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All North Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at Duke University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Duke University admissions questions
What is the Duke University acceptance rate?
Duke University accepts 6% of applicants, about 1 in 18. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 3,145 of 46,365 applicants were admitted.
Does Duke University require the SAT or ACT?
Duke University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 50% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 31% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Duke University?
The middle 50% of Duke University enrolled first-year students scored 1500–1570 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Duke University?
55% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,742 of 3,145).
What does Duke University look for in applicants?
Duke University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities. Important: class rank, essay. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, interview, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Duke University have early decision?
Yes. Duke University offers binding early decision.
Is Duke University getting harder to get into?
Duke University accepted 6% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 7% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Duke University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Duke University overview