Duke University Acceptance Rate, GPA and Admission Requirements

Duke University is one of the leading universities in the USA. It is extremely competitive to gain admission to. The acceptance rate of Duke University is 5.89%. This means that only 6 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

With one of the lowest acceptance rates in the US, you need to excel in every aspect to be selected. Your GPA, IB, AP, SAT, and ACT scores should be in the top range to have a chance. We have listed all the requirements and score ranges you need to get into Duke University so you can prepare yourself well in advance. Meeting their general GPA and test (SAT/ACT) requirements is crucial because without these, you won't proceed to the second round of admission processing. These requirements act as automatic filters, so failing to meet them makes your chance of getting in nearly zero.

Note that admission staff look beyond academic performance. Not only should your GPA and other scores be in the top range, but your personality, aptitude, and interpersonal communication skills also play an important role. Participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, community events, leadership activities, and your capacity to play leadership roles are also significant.

Duke University Admission Requirements

Duke University GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at Duke University is 4.13. It means that Duke University is very selective in terms of GPA of the students. (Most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).

With an average GPA of 4.13, Duke University requires you to be near the top of your class. You need to score mostly A's in all classes to have good chances of admission. A couple of B's will not hurt you much, but more B's will put you in the lower category of the students. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus and physics will help you.

If your GPA is less than 4.13 and higher than 3.83 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need to have a minimum of 3.73 GPA, to secure admission at Duke University. Below this, chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into Duke University Without SAT Or ACT?: Duke University requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine the merit for admission. It means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test for 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.



Duke University SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Duke University Average SAT Score: 1516
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Duke University is a 1516 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes it Extremely Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do extremely well to score 1516 on SAT
If your score is lower than 1468, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admissions at Duke University. It is not strange to appear multiple times for SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 1468
SAT 75th Percentile: 1558

It means that if you have scored less than 1468 then you are below the most of the admitted students at Duke University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1558 or more, then your chances of admissions are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer score than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1500

Can I get into Duke University with a 1550 SAT?.

With 1550 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Duke University are good but the admission staff at Duke University tests your all round personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will definitely increase your chances of admissions. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, then your chances of admissions are high.

Duke University ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at is 34. This score makes Duke University Extremely Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do extremely well to score 34 on ACT
ACT 25th Percentile: 33
ACT 75th Percentile: 35

Can I get into Duke University with a 35 ACT?

With 35 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Duke University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. College Admission process tests your all round personality and your academics. your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Duke University. More importantly, comparing your scores with 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you better understanding of where you stand. If your score in SAT is near to the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send SAT score. If your ACT score is near to the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in same range, then it is better to send ACT Score, as in case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here it is how: When sending ACT Score, you can yourself decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View list of all colleges with Average ACT score of 34.

Duke University Profile

Name: Duke University

City: Durham

URL: www.duke.edu/

State: North Carolina

Type: Non-Profit Private

Zip: 27708

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)


Does a degree from Duke University Worth It?

Getting into Duke University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Duke University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision. Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Duke University is USD: 78468.48 and unemployment rate is 3.02%.

How much a degree from Duke University Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Duke University is USD: 78176. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at Duke University is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

13.13% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 16.51 percent are receiving federal grants. So it is a better choice to go to Duke University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Duke University, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Duke University as your choice in the form.

How much a Duke University Graduate makes?

The average annual salary of the Duke University graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 97418. An average Duke University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 36834



Degree Programs


Bachelor Programs


Full list of All degree programs offered by Duke University.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

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