At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Duke University is a leading private research university in Durham, North Carolina, recognized for its strength in biomedical sciences, public policy, and engineering. Its Bass Connections program and proximity to Research Triangle Park provide students with extensive hands-on research opportunities.
Mascot: Blue Devil
Notable Alumni
Tim Cook (CEO of Apple)•Melinda French Gates (philanthropist)•Kyrie Irving (NBA All-Star)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Safety
Duke Police has approximately 70 officers providing 24/7 patrols across the self-contained, wooded 8,600-acre campus. Electronic access controls, blue-light phones, and late-night transportation keep on-campus crime rates very low.
Durham has higher-than-average city-wide crime rates, but the neighborhoods immediately surrounding Duke are among the safest in the city due to university investment and enhanced police presence.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Location
Similar Colleges
Find the right college for you
Explore 152 colleges by degree, filter by acceptance rate, SAT range, and more.
Explore Colleges