Duke admits approximately 6.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 15 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Duke among the most selective universities in the United States, in the Most Selective category reserved for institutions admitting fewer than 10% of applicants. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Duke's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private research universities, Duke's acceptance rate falls at the lower end of the spectrum. This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with near-perfect test scores and outstanding academic records—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would thrive at Duke do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants. For this reason, students considering Duke should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. The sections below provide guidance on similar institutions with more accessible admission pathways.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Duke typically score between 1510 and 1570 on the SAT, with a median of 1539. Math scores range from 770 to 800, while verbal scores span 740 to 770. ACT scores range from 34 to 35, with a median of 34. These ranges represent the middle 50% of enrolled students, meaning 25% score below the lower bound and 25% score above the upper bound. Students scoring below 1510 on the SAT or 34 on the ACT should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from consideration. Duke's SAT scores rank at the 99.9th percentile nationally, significantly above the peer median of 1256. The 283-point gap between Duke's median SAT and its peer group reflects the institution's position among the most academically selective universities. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with this range when building their college list. If your scores fall within Duke's middle 50% range, you are academically competitive for admission, though other factors including extracurricular involvement, essays, and recommendations play crucial roles in the holistic review process. Students with scores above the 75th percentile should not assume admission is guaranteed given the low overall acceptance rate.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Duke enrolls 12.7% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 8 enrolled students comes from lower-income families eligible for federal Pell grants. First-generation students comprise 13.5% of the enrolled class, while transfer students represent just 3.1% of new enrollees each year. These enrollment patterns reflect Duke's position as a highly selective private institution that, while maintaining some economic diversity, serves a predominantly higher-income student population. The relatively low Pell share compared to public institutions reflects both the selectivity of admissions and the high net costs for middle-income families who may not qualify for substantial aid. First-generation students should know that 13.5% of enrolled students share their background, indicating institutional experience supporting students whose parents did not attend college. The limited transfer enrollment of 3.1% suggests that transfer admission is even more competitive than first-year admission, requiring exceptional academic performance at the previous institution.
Given Duke's 6.8% acceptance rate, most applicants—even highly qualified ones—will need backup options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission, different geographic options, or better affordability.
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Duke demonstrates exceptional student retention and completion outcomes. 96.2% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.1%, and 95.8% graduate within six years, well above the peer median of 70.0%. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 91.4%, creating a 4.4 percentage point gap between overall and Pell completion rates. This gap, while present, remains relatively modest compared to many highly selective institutions, indicating strong support systems for lower-income students who gain admission. Students who gain admission to Duke can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with retention and graduation rates among the highest in American higher education. The small Pell gap suggests that Duke provides effective academic and financial support to help students from diverse economic backgrounds succeed once enrolled. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the rigorous but supportive academic environment they would experience at Duke.
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