Duke University

Summary

Duke University is a private institution that was founded in 1838. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,578, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 8,709 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Duke University's ranking in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 9. Its tuition and fees are $40,472 (2010-11).

Durham, N.C., which surrounds Duke’s campus, offers a variety of activities including shopping, dining, and entertainment. Its "Bull City" nickname comes from the Blackwell Tobacco Company’s Bull Durham Tobacco. Students at Duke are required to live on campus for their first three years, and freshmen live together on the East Campus. The Duke Blue Devils maintain a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men’s basketball program, one of the top five winningest college basketball programs in the country. Approximately 30 percent of the student body is affiliated with Greek life, which encompasses more than 30 fraternities and sororities.

Duke University is divided into 10 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Its graduate programs include the highly ranked Fuqua School of Business, Pratt School of Engineering, School of Law, School of Medicine, Sanford School of Public Policy, and School of Nursing. Duke also offers graduate programs through its well-respected Divinity School and Nicholas School of the Environment. Duke’s most esteemed undergraduate scholarship, the Robertson Scholars Program, provides approximately 18 students from each class with a monetary reward and the opportunity to study for a semester at UNC-Chapel Hill. Notable alumni include Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; NBA player Carlos Boozer; and U.S. Congressman and two-time presidential candidate Ron Paul.

School mission (as provided by the school):

Duke University offers a unique and compelling combination of academic achievement, engagement with society, and athletic accomplishment at the highest... Read More

Applying

When applying to Duke University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 2, and the early decision deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 2. The application fee at Duke University is $75. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 18.9 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	most selective
Fall 2009 acceptance rate	19%
Application deadline	January 2
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	January 2

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Duke University is 8:1, and the school has 71.0 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Duke University include: Biology; Economics; Psychology; and Public policy analysis. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96.8 percent.

Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio	8:1
4-year graduation rate	89% - High
Five most popular majors for 2009 graduates
Biology 9% Economics 13% Psychology 10% Public policy analysis 8%

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Student Life

Duke University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,578, with a gender distribution of 51.1 percent male students and 48.9 percent female students. 83.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 17.0 percent of students live off campus. Duke University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at Duke University.

Total enrollment	14,350
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association	NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

Duke University offers a number of student services including women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Duke University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Duke University.

Students who have cars on campus	N/A
Health insurance offered	Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer	No

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Paying for School

At Duke University, 42.4 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $33,810.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

Tuition and fees	$40,472 (2010-11)
Room and board	$11,622 (2010-11) - High
Financial aid statistics

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Student Reviews Ratings data provided by Unigo

APM Sophomore

The best thing about Duke is the people. I have met some of the greatest people I have ever met and suspect I ever will meet. I came here for academics, the beautiful campus and weather, the size, and the basketball. There isn't one thing I would change about those things (except maybe a national championship). I think people love the school, and this is not a forced love but a genuine pride in wearing duke blue. I wish there was more of a college town available on some days so that i didn't always feel like i was going to the same places. However, over my 4 years we are slowly getting one. I do believe that something like a chapel hill might alter the overall character of the school, which i dont want.

Jake Senior

Duke is a confusing place partially because of its size. With an undergrad population of about 6,000, there are enough people with which to constantly be making new friends, but there are few enough people for rumors to be spread and communities to be formed. You make Duke what you want it to be. I hang out with the backpacking Project Wild crew, and the crazy improvisors of Duke University Improv (DUI). However, you could also choose to be a part of the sorority scene, the constant frat party scene, the Engineering dork scene... of course, I am making vast generalizations here, but the basic idea is true. Duke also forms a great community in the winter and spring during tenting session for Duke basketball. Who wouldn't bond with fellow tenters, while spooning in sleeping bags for three months, waiting for the lone goal of cheering on our men's basketball team?

Selina Junior