At a Glance
Duke University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Durham, NC. Approximately 6,442 undergraduates 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. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. 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
Location
Durham, NC
Campus Identity
Duke University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Durham, NC. Approximately 6,442 undergraduates 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. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@dukeuniversity
Follow on Instagram
@DukeU
Follow on X (Twitter)
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 134 miles from Stevens Street Public Beach Access, NC and 94 miles from Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.
Athletics
NCAA D1
Atlantic Coast
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
134 miles
Stevens Street Public Beach Access, NC
Weather
Warm Climate
53°F avg school-year
Greek Life at Duke University
At Duke University, 3% of men are in a fraternity and 42% of women are in a sorority. That is among the highest participation in the country, and Greek life sets the social calendar for a large share of campus. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
3%
Men in fraternities
42%
Women in sororities
Greek Life Dominant
Greek life scale
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 with 1 lifts and 2 skiable acres. All are within 146 miles of campus.
Virginia
Virginia
Virginia
Nearest Beach
Students at Duke University are 134 miles from Stevens Street Public Beach Access, NC.
Stevens Street Public Beach Access, NC
Ocean access within 134.3 miles
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.
How many students attend Duke University?
Duke University enrolls 6,442 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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.
Is Duke University a Division I (D1) school?
Yes. Duke University is an NCAA Division I school, part of the Atlantic Coast. Division I is the top tier of NCAA athletics, home to the largest programs, athletic scholarships, and nationally televised games.
What percentage of students at Duke University are in Greek life?
At Duke University, 3% of men are in a fraternity and 42% of women are in a sorority. That is among the highest participation in the country, and Greek life shapes the social calendar for much of campus. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
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)