Duke Admission Requirements

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Durham, NC
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Duke Admission Overview

Duke admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Duke admitted 5.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1500-1570 / ACT 34-35. Duke is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Duke is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.duke.edu/apply/

Duke Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

5.7%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Duke acceptance rate is 5.7%. Last year, only 2,957 of 51,795 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina and the 16th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Duke and can you get accepted?

Duke is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 59% enrolled. That suggests Duke is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Duke GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.94*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.94*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Duke has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.94 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.94 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Duke is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.94 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Duke Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Duke University is test-optional for first-year and transfer applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle, covering students entering fall 2027. Applicants may apply without SAT or ACT scores. Students who submit scores may self-report them for review; official reports from the testing agency are required only from those who enroll. Homeschooled applicants follow the same testing rules. Duke considers the highest SAT or ACT section scores across sittings.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.duke.edu/apply/

Duke SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1500-1570

Freshmen who sent SAT

48%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 760
Composite 1500

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 770
Math 800
Composite 1570

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Duke typically score around a 1540 SAT (middle 50% 1500–1570) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Duke ranks #1 in the state of North Carolina and #18 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1500 to 1570

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1500–1570 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Duke is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Duke University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1570+	Above 75th	>11%
1540 to 1570	Avg +	7%-11%
1500 to 1540	Avg -	3%-7%
Below 1500	Below mid-50	<3%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Duke ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

34-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

30%

25th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 32
Composite 34

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 35
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Duke typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 34–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Duke places #1 among colleges in North Carolina and #29 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 34–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Duke without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Duke University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>19%
34 to 35	Avg +	6%-19%
34 to 34	Avg -	6%-6%
Below 34	Below mid-50	<6%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Duke chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Duke University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	27,497	24,298	51,795
Accepted	1,569	1,388	2,957
Acceptance Rate	6%	6%	6%
Enrolled	916	824	1,740
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	58%	59%	59%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Duke University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Duke University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 3, 2027

Days left to Apply

125

Applicants have 125 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 3, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Duke University is $85.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Duke University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Duke is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 5.7% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1500-1570); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025