Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
About Duke University
Duke University is one of the wealthiest private universities in the world, attracting scholars from all over the globe. A coed, medium-sized, 4-year undergraduate institution, Duke is nestled in the vibrant suburbs of Durham, with most of their student body opting for residential housing.
A brief history
Founded in 1838, Duke was named for the deceased father, Washington Duke, of respected benefactor James Buchanan Duke.
General information
Duke is home to 10 different colleges covering both undergraduate and graduate study, including the highly respected Fuqua School of Business and Pratt School of Engineering.
7.8%
1500 - 1560
33 - 35
3.7 - 4.0
Quick facts about Duke
- Undergrad degree: 4 year liberal arts
- Public or Private: Private
- Setting: Suburban
- Residential Status: Primarily on campus
- Number of Undergraduates: 6,682 (approx)
- Number of Freshman: 1,744 (approx)
- Acceptance Rate: 7.8%
Duke By The Numbers
What is Duke's QS World University Ranking?
#25
What is Duke's US News Ranking?
#10
How many undergraduate fields of study does Duke have?
53
What is Duke's Student-Faculty Ratio?
6:1
What percentage of Duke students are international students?
20.9%
What percentage of Duke students live on campus?
85%
What is the median starting salary of Duke graduates?
$65,300 USD
How many varsity sports teams are there at Duke?
27
How hard is it to get into Duke?
Very! Duke’s acceptance rate is below 8%.
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The 6 most popular majors
16% Biology
Duke's biology program aims to expand and strengthen training opportunities for undergraduates at the cutting edge of the discipline while providing them with a scope of modern biology.
16% Social Sciences
Duke's social sciences apply both quantitative scientific and interpretive humanistic methodologies to study diverse patterns of human behavior, social structures and cultural and social change.
13% Engineering
Duke's world-class engineering program prepares confident, creative engineers who are inspired and equipped to make a difference in the world.
8% Computer and Information Sciences
At the Department of Computer Science at Duke University, undergraduates take classes with renowned faculty, engage in cutting-edge research, and build a strong foundation for future study or work.
8% Public Policy
Duke's public policy major offers exciting opportunities. Students undertake courses in a broad array of areas, including education and social policy, health and population and environment and energy.
6% Psychology
Psychology at Duke is a diverse discipline committed to the understanding of the origins, processes, and consequences of human and animal behavior.
Virtual tour of Duke University
Notable alumni
Duke boasts more than 180,000 alumni. 15 Nobel laureates have been associated with the university as well as 2 heads of state and 12 Pulitzer Prize winners. Notable alumni include former US president Richard Nixon, musician Mike Posner and Abigail Johnston, who won a silver medal in synchronised diving at the 2012 Summer Olympics while an undergraduate at Duke and competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics while attending Duke Medical School.
