🏅 QS World Rank #70
Duke University — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
A private research powerhouse with a legendary basketball program — QS World Rankings 2027 #70
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, originally founded as Trinity College in 1838 and renamed Duke University in 1924 following a major endowment. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (released June 2026), Duke ranked 70th in the world. Duke is particularly renowned for medicine, public policy through the Sanford School, and one of the most successful university basketball programs in the United States. This guide covers Duke’s schools, undergraduate admission, tuition and financial aid, advice for applicants from Pakistan, and the questions prospective students ask most. Every figure is labelled with its year or source.
Duke Overview
Originally founded as Trinity College in 1838, Duke was renamed in 1924 after a major endowment from the Duke family. Its Gothic-style West Campus is centred on the iconic Duke Chapel, with an adjacent East Campus for first-year students and a nearby Duke Forest offering thousands of acres of protected woodland for research and recreation. Duke is particularly strong in medicine, public policy, and biomedical engineering, and is widely known for its storied men’s basketball program.
Duke Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
Duke is ranked 70th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026.
QS ranks universities using academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, student-to-faculty ratio, and measures of international faculty and students. This is a QS-specific result, not a universal ranking — Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and ARWU use different methods and can order the same universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities, QS World University Rankings 2027 (released June 2026).
Schools & Key Strengths
- Medicine — Duke University School of Medicine, tied to Duke University Hospital
- Public Policy — Sanford School of Public Policy
- Engineering — Pratt School of Engineering, particularly strong in biomedical engineering
- Business — Fuqua School of Business
For the full list of schools and programs, see Duke’s official website.
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Admission Requirements
Duke admission details below were checked in October 2026. Confirm them on Duke’s admissions site before applying.
Undergraduate Admissions
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Method | Common Application, evaluated holistically on academic rigor, essays, and extracurricular achievement |
| Early Decision Deadline | November 1 (binding) |
| Regular Decision Deadline | Early January (around January 3) |
| Financial Aid Status | Need-blind for domestic applicants; international applicants should check current policy, since aid availability can be more limited than for domestic students |
| English Requirement | TOEFL, IELTS, or an approved equivalent for non-native English speakers |
| Athletic Recruitment | Follows a separate, well-defined pathway distinct from general admission, particularly for its storied basketball program |
Graduate Admissions
Graduate admission requirements are set independently by each school; the Fuqua MBA runs its own application rounds and the School of Medicine has its own process and timeline.
Official source: Duke Undergraduate Admissions.
Duke Acceptance Rate
Duke’s undergraduate acceptance rate is commonly reported at around 6%, based on recent admission cycles, making it one of the most selective universities in the United States.
Figures are aggregated third-party estimates; always check current entry requirements on Duke’s official admissions pages.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose between Early Decision (Nov 1, binding) or Regular Decision (early January)
- Prepare essays and recommendation letters well in advance, given Duke’s highly selective holistic review
- Book a TOEFL/IELTS test early if you are a non-native English speaker
- Check whether the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program (a joint scholarship with UNC Chapel Hill) fits your profile — it has its own, earlier application requirements
- Apply for need-based financial aid alongside your admission application, and confirm Duke’s current international aid policy
- Plan for the full cost of attendance, including housing in Durham
- Check U.S. student visa (F-1) requirements
- Verify every date, fee, and requirement on Duke’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
Duke’s undergraduate tuition is approximately $68,758 per year, with a total estimated cost of attendance (including fees, housing, food, and personal expenses) of around $108,900.
Source: third-party college-comparison data, cross-checked against Duke’s published figures, October 2026. Always confirm the current rate directly on Duke’s official Financial Aid page, since fees are reviewed annually.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Robertson Scholars Leadership Program — a highly competitive joint scholarship with UNC Chapel Hill covering full tuition, with its own separate application
- Need-based financial aid — available to admitted international students, though availability and the extent of need-blind consideration can differ from domestic policy; confirm current terms before applying
Scholarship and aid policy can change year to year — confirm current details on Duke’s Financial Aid page. Funding is not automatic or guaranteed for every applicant.
Duke for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants apply to Duke through the same Common Application process as other international applicants; there is no separate country-specific quota. Practical points:
- Intermediate/A-Level or equivalent results are assessed holistically alongside essays and recommendations
- IELTS and similar English tests are available in major Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad
- Check Duke’s current international financial aid policy before applying, since terms and the degree of need-based support can vary by cycle
- A U.S. student visa (F-1) is required only after formal admission and enrollment confirmation; visa decisions are made solely by U.S. immigration authorities, not by Duke
- Applicants do not need a paid agent to apply — applications are submitted directly through the Common Application portal
- Always verify current deadlines, fees, and requirements on Duke’s official website before applying
Campus & Student Life
- Duke’s Gothic-style West Campus is centred on the iconic Duke Chapel
- An adjacent East Campus houses first-year students
- Duke Forest offers thousands of acres of protected woodland for research and recreation
- Duke’s basketball culture is a central part of campus life and school spirit
Research & Career Opportunities
- Duke is a major research university with particular strength in medicine, public policy, and biomedical engineering
- Duke University Hospital anchors a significant portion of Duke’s medical research and clinical training
- Duke does not guarantee employment, salary, or visa outcomes after graduation
Notable Alumni
- Numerous NBA players from its basketball program
- Prominent medical researchers and public policy leaders
Contact & Location
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
Admissions email: undergrad-admissions@duke.edu
Official website: duke.edu
Contact details can change year to year — check the official website for the most current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Duke University is ranked 70th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027, released in June 2026.
No, it was founded as Trinity College in 1838 and renamed Duke University in 1924 after a major endowment from the Duke family.
Yes, Duke’s men’s basketball program is one of the most successful and storied in U.S. college sports history.
Duke is best known for medicine, public policy, and biomedical engineering.
Duke’s undergraduate acceptance rate is commonly reported at around 6%, making it one of the most selective U.S. universities.
Duke’s undergraduate tuition is approximately $68,758 per year, with a total estimated cost of attendance of around $108,900.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the standard international process through the Common Application; IELTS testing is available in major Pakistani cities.
Check Duke’s official admissions and financial aid pages, since deadlines, charges, and entry requirements are reviewed annually and can change.
Compare Duke With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, Duke’s official admissions and financial aid pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with Duke University before applying.