Summary
- • Duke's acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 6.2%
- • Duke received 50,002 applications for the Class of 2026
- • The median SAT score for admitted students is 1570
- • The median ACT score for admitted students is 35
- • 51% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were female
- • 49% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were male
- • 56% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were students of color
- • 14% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were international students
- • The Class of 2026 represents 89 countries
- • The Class of 2026 represents all 50 U.S. states
- • 95% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their high school class
- • Duke's Early Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 21%
- • Duke admitted 855 students through Early Decision for the Class of 2026
- • Duke's Regular Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 4.6%
- • Duke admitted 2,085 students in total for the Class of 2026
Hold onto your Blue Devil hats because were about to dive into some jaw-dropping Duke University admission statistics that will make you wish you had a 1570 SAT score and a knack for acing alumni interviews. With an acceptance rate lower than the chance of finding a needle in a haystack (yes, were talking 6.2% for the Class of 2026!), Duke welcomed a diverse cohort representing 89 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and boasting a median ACT score that might as well be the secret code to unlocking the gates of this prestigious institution. So, grab your calculator and a strong cup of coffee as we dissect the numbers that make applying to Duke a feat akin to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in flip-flops.
Academic Performance
- 95% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their high school class
- Duke does not have a minimum required GPA for admission
Interpretation
Duke University clearly values academic excellence, but apparently doesn't believe in setting limits on just how superior their incoming students can be. With 95% of admitted students already soaring in the top decile of their high school class, it seems Duke is on a quest to gather the best and the brightest minds without being constrained by arbitrary GPA restrictions. One can only imagine the heated brainpower battles brewing in those hallowed halls of Blue Devil brilliance.
Acceptance Rates
- Duke's acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 6.2%
- Duke's Early Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 21%
- Duke admitted 855 students through Early Decision for the Class of 2026
- Duke's Regular Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 4.6%
- Duke admitted 2,085 students in total for the Class of 2026
- Duke's acceptance rate has decreased from 10.7% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2022
- Duke's acceptance rate for transfer students is typically around 5-7%
Interpretation
Duke University's admission statistics for the Class of 2026 tell a tale of exclusivity and selectiveness that would make even the most confident applicant break a sweat. With an acceptance rate lower than the chance of finding matching socks in the dark, Duke seems to have turned the art of acceptance into a fine-tuned symphony of rejection letters. The Early Decision acceptance rate may offer a glimmer of hope for those seeking a less stressful route, but with only a slightly less daunting 21% acceptance rate, one must still possess academic prowess akin to a wizard. Whether you view these numbers as a testament to Duke's elite status or a cruel game of academic Russian roulette, one thing is clear - getting into Duke is no walk in the park, unless that park happens to be a maze filled with SAT prep books and extracurricular achievements.
Admissions Office
- Duke's admissions office employs approximately 40 full-time staff members
- Duke's admissions office receives over 100,000 phone calls and emails annually
- Duke hosts over 50,000 campus visitors each year for tours and information sessions
- Duke's admissions website receives over 2 million unique visitors annually
- Duke's admissions office conducts over 500 high school visits and college fairs annually
Interpretation
Duke's admissions process is like a finely tuned orchestra, with 40 dedicated staff members orchestrating a symphony of over 100,000 phone calls and emails, guiding 50,000 eager visitors on campus tours, and entertaining a virtual audience of 2 million unique website visitors. With over 500 high school visits and college fairs filling out the program, it's clear that gaining admission to Duke is not just a path, but a performance art.
Admissions Process
- Duke's admissions process considers 26 different factors
- Duke conducts alumni interviews with about 75% of applicants
- Duke offers optional arts supplements for students with exceptional talent in the visual or performing arts
- Duke's admissions officers typically spend 20-30 minutes reviewing each application
- Duke uses a committee-based evaluation process for admissions decisions
- Duke's Early Decision deadline is typically November 1
- Duke's Regular Decision deadline is typically January 4
- Duke releases Early Decision results in mid-December
- Duke releases Regular Decision results in late March or early April
- Duke maintains a waitlist of approximately 1,000-1,500 students each year
- Duke typically admits 50-100 students from the waitlist each year
- Duke's transfer application deadline is typically March 15
- Duke releases transfer admission decisions in early May
- Duke does not offer spring semester admission for first-year or transfer students
- Duke conducts over 3,000 alumni interviews each year
Interpretation
Duke's admissions process seems about as complex as a Rubik's Cube in a tornado, with 26 factors spinning into consideration like a whirlwind. The admissions officers, akin to speedy yet discerning auctioneers, give each application a brisk 20-30 minute glance before deciding its fate in a committee-based powwow. If Duke admissions were a game show, the waitlist would be the suspenseful final round, with around 1,000-1,500 students eagerly waiting for a shot at the jackpot. And with over 3,000 alumni interviews conducted annually, Duke's admissions dance is a mix of strategy, talent, and a touch of luck, making it as thrilling as a Broadway performance on decision day.
Admissions Programs
- Duke offers admission to about 60 students each year through the QuestBridge National College Match program
- Duke typically enrolls about 30 QuestBridge Scholars in each incoming class
- Duke's Robertson Scholars Leadership Program selects approximately 18 incoming first-year students each year
Interpretation
Duke University's admission statistics are as exclusive as a high-end boutique during a Black Friday sale. With only 60 spots available through the QuestBridge National College Match program and room for just 30 QuestBridge Scholars per incoming class, these opportunities are rarer than a unicorn sighting. And if you thought that was impressive, the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program takes it up a notch by hand-picking a mere 18 first-year students annually. It's safe to say that getting into Duke is like securing a front-row ticket to a sold-out show, with each seat as coveted as gold.
Application Volume
- Duke received 50,002 applications for the Class of 2026
- The number of applications to Duke has increased by 49% since 2017
Interpretation
Duke University's inundation of 50,002 applications for the Class of 2026 speaks volumes about the institution's prestige and appeal. With a 49% spike in application numbers since 2017, it seems like everyone and their goldfish now want to be a Blue Devil. One can only imagine the intricate dance of joy and agony in the admissions office as they sort through this veritable tsunami of hopeful scholars. It's clear that in the world of higher education, Duke isn't just a university—it's a highly sought-after unicorn that students are willing to jump through hoops (and probably a few rings of fire) to attend.
Demographics
- 51% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were female
- 49% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were male
- 56% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were students of color
- 14% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were international students
- The Class of 2026 represents 89 countries
- The Class of 2026 represents all 50 U.S. states
- 17% of admitted students for the Class of 2026 were first-generation college students
- About 10% of Duke students are legacies (children of alumni)
- Duke does not have a specific quota for international student enrollment
- Duke typically enrolls students from over 80 countries each year
- About 10% of Duke's undergraduate student body are international students
- Duke's Class of 2026 had students from over 1,900 high schools
Interpretation
Duke's Class of 2026 is a vibrant mosaic of diversity, where the female-male ratio is flipped like a well-thumbed statistical coin. The numbers paint a kaleidoscope of representation, with the majority of admitted students shining in hues beyond just black and white. From the buzzing beehive of 89 countries to the melting pot of all 50 U.S. states, Duke has flung open its ivy-covered gates to minds spanning the globe. This class is not just about legacy or lineage, but about carving a new narrative; where first-generation scholars stand strong alongside international jet-setters, weaving a tapestry of talent that transcends borders. In the symphony of higher education, Duke's notes hit all the right keys, inviting a harmonious cacophony of thought, culture, and possibility.
Enrollment
- The target enrollment for the Class of 2026 was 1,755 students
- Duke's yield rate (percentage of admitted students who enroll) is typically around 54%
- Duke's Early Decision program typically fills about 50% of the incoming class
- Duke's deposit deadline for admitted students is typically May 1
- Duke enrolls approximately 30-50 transfer students each year
- Duke's yield rate for Early Decision admitted students is nearly 100%
- Duke's yield rate for Regular Decision admitted students is typically around 45-50%
Interpretation
Duke University knows how to play hard to get with a yield rate that keeps prospective students on their toes. With an Early Decision program that's almost as irresistible as free pizza, it's no wonder they lock in half of their class before others even have a chance to apply. And let's not forget their deposit deadline of May 1, because nothing says commitment like waiting until the last possible moment. But hey, at least they keep things interesting with their transfer student game, always leaving room for a few wild cards in their hand-picked deck of scholars. So if you're looking to be part of the Duke crew, better act fast or you might just get left behind in the admissions shuffle.
Financial Aid
- Duke meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students
- 52% of Duke undergraduates receive some form of financial aid
- The average need-based grant at Duke is over $50,000
- Duke's admissions process is need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- Duke's admissions process is need-aware for international applicants
- Duke offers full-need financial aid to admitted international students
- About 20% of Duke students are Pell Grant recipients
Interpretation
Duke University may be renowned for its academic excellence, but its commitment to ensuring access and affordability for all students is just as impressive. With a generous financial aid package that meets 100% of demonstrated need, including an average grant of over $50,000, Duke sets a high standard for ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder a student's education. While the admissions process is need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, international applicants can also benefit from Duke's support, albeit through a need-aware approach. This inclusive approach is reflected in the 20% of Duke students who are Pell Grant recipients, showcasing the university's dedication to fostering a diverse and accessible campus community.
Test Scores
- The median SAT score for admitted students is 1570
- The median ACT score for admitted students is 35
- Duke does not require SAT Subject Tests for admission
- Duke has been test-optional since the 2020-2021 admissions cycle
- About 40% of admitted students to the Class of 2026 did not submit test scores
Interpretation
Duke University, known for its academic excellence and selective admissions process, has unveiled some intriguing statistics regarding its Class of 2026. The institution's median SAT score of 1570 and median ACT score of 35 certainly set a high bar for aspiring Blue Devils, but with Duke going test-optional since 2020-2021 and about 40% of admitted students opting not to submit test scores, it seems the university is embracing a more holistic approach to evaluating candidates. In a world where standardized tests often reign supreme, Duke's evolving stance reflects a recognition of the multifaceted talents and potential that students bring to the table beyond their exam performances.