Campus Identity
Duke University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Durham, NC. Approximately 6,442 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 6% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Brinkley Lake, just 7 miles from the water. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Duke University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Durham, NC. Approximately 6,442 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 6% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Brinkley Lake, just 7 miles from the water. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Duke University is a 10,000–19,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a greek life dominant Greek scene. The campus is 94 miles from Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.
Athletics
NCAA D1
Atlantic Coast
Greek Life
Greek Life Dominant
3% frats · 42% sororities
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Urban setting
Weather
Warm Climate
53°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Duke University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, 94 miles away. All are within 146 miles of campus.
Virginia
Virginia
Virginia
Lake Life Campus
Brinkley Lake is 7 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Duke University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Brinkley Lake
Lake access within 7.3 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Durham, NC
Durham has a mild climate, with winters averaging 38°F in Jan and summers peaking around 78°F in Jul.
Station: DURHAM · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Duke University in NC earns a composite safety score of 38/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $68,758 |
| Fees | $2,159 |
| Room & Board | $18,128 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $89,045 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
240 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Duke University located?
Duke University is located in Durham, NC. The main campus address is 103 Allen Bldg, Durham, NC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Duke University?
Duke University has an acceptance rate of 6%, making it extremely selective. Out of 51,795 applicants, 2,957 were admitted in the most recent year. 6,442 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Duke University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Duke University scored between 34 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 35. About 30% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Duke University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Duke University charges $68,758/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,128/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $60,244/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $29,612/year — what students actually pay. Use Duke University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Duke University?
The undergraduate application fee at Duke University is $85. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does Duke University have college sports?
Yes — Duke University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Atlantic Coast. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.
Is Duke University the right fit for me?
Whether Duke University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (6% admit rate), avg net price ($29,612/year after aid), campus culture in Durham, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Duke University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Duke University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Atlantic Coast
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 53°F avg
- App Fee
- $85
- On Campus Safety Score
- 38/100
- Nearest Airport
- Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) · 12 mialso DAN (45 mi), GSO (56 mi)
Location
Durham, NC