CollegeCalcAI
Most selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

Duke University acceptance rate and admissions profile

Duke University is a private university in North Carolina with a 6% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among North Carolina schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
6%
Most selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1570
of admitted students
Type
Private
North Carolina
Selectivity in state
#1
of 38 in NC
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What Duke University looks for

What Duke University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Duke University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Duke University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How Duke University compares in North Carolina

Duke University ranks #1 most selective of 38 schools in North Carolina in our database.

Davidson College
17%acceptance · NC
University of North Carolina
17%acceptance · NC
Wake Forest University
21%acceptance · NC
NC State University
47%acceptance · NC
North Carolina A&T State University
47%acceptance · NC
Elizabeth City State University
55%acceptance · NC
Fayetteville State University
55%acceptance · NC
Johnson C. Smith University
55%acceptance · NC
See all North Carolina schools →

Similar to Duke University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Dartmouth College
6%acceptance · NH
University of Pennsylvania
6%acceptance · PA
Vanderbilt University
6%acceptance · TN
Brown University
5%acceptance · RI
Yale University
5%acceptance · CT
University of Chicago
5%acceptance · IL

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Duke University?

Duke University has a 6% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective — it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for Duke University?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1570. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does Duke University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Duke University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into Duke University?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for Duke University in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full Duke University chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.