Duke University

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Durham, NC
5.0 6 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

17,499

Location Durham, North Carolina
Website duke.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City
Religious Affiliation United Methodist

Best Colleges Rank

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Duke University occupies a sprawling Gothic-style campus in Durham, North Carolina, situated approximately 25 miles northwest of Raleigh in the state's Research Triangle region. Established in 1838 and relocated to Durham in 1892, Duke has transformed from a small Methodist college into a leading private research institution, anchored by its iconic Duke Chapel and extensive medical complex. The university maintains highly selective undergraduate admission standards and is particularly recognized for its programs in medicine, law, business, public policy, and biomedical engineering. Duke's West Campus houses most undergraduate students and academic facilities, while East Campus serves as a dedicated first-year student community, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Blue Devils, with its men's basketball program having achieved national prominence.

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Ratings

Duke is rated within the top 2% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

Overall Rating

10 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

10 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Duke University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#2
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#2
Best Colleges in North Carolina

#1
Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

#1
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#12
Best Value Colleges in North Carolina

#1

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1500/1570
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 34/35

Acceptance Rate

5.7%

Applications Due Jan 3, 2027
Enrollment Rate 58.8%
Application Fee $85

Applicant Competition Extreme

Very Low

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Average

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$68,758

Costs for Duke University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$68,758
Books and Supplies		$536
Other Fees		$2,433
Room and Board		$18,128
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,274
Total One Year Cost		$93,129

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$108,900 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

94% within 6 years

View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Duke University are Social Sciences, Engineering, and Human Services. 24% of students major in Social Sciences, 16% in Engineering, and 10% in Human Services.