Duke University: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 6% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1570 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 35 |
| Location | NC |
| School type | Private |
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, and one of the most selective schools in the country. It admits about 6 out of every 100 applicants, which puts it in the same tier as the Ivy League. Getting in takes more than good grades.
Calculate your chances at Duke University free →How hard is it to get into Duke University?
With a 6% acceptance rate, Duke turns away the vast majority of people who apply, including many students with near-perfect transcripts and test scores. The low rate is not meant to discourage you, but it does mean you need to bring something distinctive to your application.
Students who get in typically have excellent grades in the most challenging courses their school offers, along with standout test scores, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and essays that feel genuinely personal. Even so, the process involves real uncertainty at this level of selectivity.
Test scores that make you competitive
The SAT 75th percentile among admitted students is 1570, and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. That means three-quarters of admitted students scored at or below those marks, so you do not need a perfect score to have a shot. That said, scores well below those benchmarks can put you at a disadvantage. Duke is test-optional, so if your scores do not reflect your ability, you have the choice to leave them off.
What Duke University looks for
Duke wants students who pushed themselves academically and genuinely engaged with something outside the classroom, whether that is research, the arts, athletics, community work, or something harder to categorize. Depth matters more than a long list of activities you participated in but were not really committed to.
Your essays are a real opportunity. Admissions readers are trying to figure out who you are, not just what you have done. Specific, honest writing usually lands better than polished but generic answers.
Estimate your chances at Duke University
If you want a free, instant estimate of your odds at Duke based on your GPA, test scores, and activities, the CollegeCalcAI calculator at collegecalcai.com can give you a personalized picture. It takes just a few minutes and helps you figure out where Duke fits in your overall college list.
Frequently asked questions
What is Duke University's acceptance rate?
Duke's acceptance rate is approximately 6%, making it one of the most selective universities in the United States.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for Duke University?
The SAT 75th percentile for admitted students is 1570, and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. Scoring at or near those marks puts you in a competitive range, though scores alone do not determine admission.
Is Duke University hard to get into?
Yes. A 6% acceptance rate means Duke rejects the large majority of applicants, including many with strong academic profiles. It is one of the most difficult schools to get into in the country.
See your real odds at Duke University
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.