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Duke University admissions

Durham, North Carolina · Private · 6,442 undergrads

Duke admitted 5.2% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,910 of 55,541, Common Data Set 2025-26). Duke is test-optional for fall 2027. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1510–1570.

The numbers

Applied
55,541
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
34–35
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
59%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$85
waivers exist

See your odds and what families like yours paid. It stays on your device. Add my SAT and income

Can I get into Duke?

5.2% of applicants get in

Almost everyone who applies is turned down, including many students with perfect grades. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1510–1570 on the SAT.

Add your SAT to see where you sit

Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.

55,541 applied, 2,910 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).

Does Duke need the SAT or ACT?Optional

No.

Test-optional for fall 2027. 48% of enrolled first-years sent the SAT. Send your SAT if it's 1540 or higher, the middle of what enrolled first-years scored.

Which colleges require scores

Checked on admissions.duke.edu Nov 2, 2026. See the source

Early rounds and deadlines

Early decision is offered. It's binding: if you get in, you go.

Closed
Early decisionBinding
Was due Nov 2, 2026
55days
Regular decision
Due Monday, Jan 4, 2027

Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.

The wait list

There is a wait list.

Common Data Set, fall 2025.

Questions people ask

What is Duke University's acceptance rate?
Duke admitted 5.2% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,910 of 55,541, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Duke University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1510–1570. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Where these numbers come from

Updated Nov 5, 2026Spot a mistake?How we get our numbers