Duke University Admission
Acceptance Rate
5.71%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
58.84%
Freshmen Enrollment
1,740
SAT Scores
1,540
For the 2024-2025 admission, a total of 51,795 students have applied and 2,957 students have allowed to admit to Duke University (Acceptance rate: 5.71%). Duke's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 58.84 % where 1,740 students have finally enrolled out of 2,957 admitted students.
Duke acceptance rate is lower (tighter to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in North Carolina. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as University of Pennsylvania and University of Chicago, its acceptance rate is average (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 5.70%).
Duke enrollment rate (yield) is higher (more admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in North Carolina. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is average (average yield is 67.85%).
How to Apply to Duke University
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply Duke. Duke offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | www.admissions.duke.edu/ |
|---|---|
| Online Application | admissions.duke.edu/application/instructions |
| Financial Aid | www.finaid.duke.edu/ |
| Net Price Calculator | https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/duke |
| Veterans Tuition | registrar.duke.edu/veterans/veterans-education-benefits |
| Athletic | https://goduke.com/news/2022/8/8/duke-athletics-releases-2021-22-annual-report.aspx |
| Disability Service | https://access.duke.edu/ |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at Duke and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2025, the average SAT score at Duke University is 1,540 and the average ACT score is 35. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of Duke University is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,543). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University | 1,540 | 35 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,543 | 35 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in North Carolina | 1,054 | 60 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At Duke University, 824 students submitted SAT scores (48% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,540 and it is extremely competitive scores than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in North Carolina. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 740 | 760 | 770 |
| Mathematics | 760 | 780 | 800 |
| Total | 1,500 | 1,540 | 1,570 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: June 5, 2025)
At Duke University, 526 students submitted ACT scores (30% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 35 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in North Carolina. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| English | 35 | 35 | 36 |
| Mathematics | 32 | 35 | 35 |
Duke Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to Duke University. The school requires 5 items to submit - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Recommendations, and Legacy status.
2 items are Considered if submitted - Admission test scores, and Personal statement or essay.
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school rank | Not Considered |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Not Considered |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Not Considered |
| Work experience | Not Considered |
| Personal statement or essay | Considered, if submitted |
| Legacy status | Required |