Duke University's On-Campus Student Population: How Many?

Duke University is a private institution based in Durham, North Carolina, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,488 students as of Fall 2023. The university has a strong residential culture, with 85% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, and 15% living off-campus. All first-year students live on the East Campus, a five-minute bus ride from the West Campus, which becomes available to students in their second year.

Duke University has a total of 6,488 undergraduate students as of Fall 2023

Duke University is a private institution that was founded in 1838. As of Fall 2023, Duke University has a total of 6,488 undergraduate students, comprising 46.5% male students and 53.5% female students. The university's campus spans 8,693 acres, with a strong residential culture. All first, second, and third-year students are required to live on campus, with 85% of students residing in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, and the remaining 15% living off-campus.

Freshmen students at Duke University live together on the East Campus, which covers 172 acres and includes residence halls, research labs, tennis courts, dining options, and convenient access to Durham's Ninth Street District. The East Campus also houses the historic Baldwin Auditorium, which underwent major renovations in 2011 thanks to an $80 million gift from The Duke Endowment.

Upperclassmen at Duke University have the option to live on the West Campus or in one of the university's apartment complexes. The West Campus, built in the Gothic style and dominated by the 210-foot tower of Duke Chapel, offers a variety of dining options, libraries, and student union facilities. The university's campus provides a vibrant and collaborative environment, fostering a close-knit community among its diverse student body.

In addition to its residential offerings, Duke University provides a wide range of extracurricular activities and academic opportunities. With over 700 student groups, including fraternities, sororities, sports clubs, and organizations catering to various interests, students can explore their passions and connect with like-minded individuals. The university also encourages students to engage in research, internships, and service learning, providing resources and opportunities for personal and professional development.

85% of Duke students live in college-affiliated housing

Duke University has a strong residential culture, with 85% of students living in college-affiliated housing. This includes first-year students, who all live together on the East Campus, a five-minute bus ride from West Campus. The East Campus offers 172 acres of space, including residence halls, research labs, tennis courts, a dining hall, a cafe, a convenience store, a library, a theatre, and a gym.

The requirement to live on campus extends to second and third-year students, who can also live on the West Campus or in one of the university's apartment complexes. This requirement fosters a close-knit community and ensures that the majority of students have easy access to the wide range of resources and facilities that Duke University has to offer.

The West Campus, which opened in 1930, is designed in a Gothic style and is dominated by the 210-foot tower of Duke Chapel. The original Durham campus, now known as the East Campus, was rebuilt in stately Georgian architecture. The East Campus served as the home of the Woman's College of Duke University until 1972, when the men's and women's undergraduate colleges merged.

With a total undergraduate enrollment of around 6,400 students, Duke University offers a vibrant and diverse community for its students. The university enrolls students from every US state and a significant number of international students, representing a broad spectrum of ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and geographical diversity.

Freshmen live on East Campus, sophomores and juniors on West Campus or in apartments

Duke University has a strong residential culture, with 85% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. The remaining 15% of students live off-campus. All first-year students live on East Campus, a five-minute bus ride from West Campus. East Campus offers 172 acres of open lawns, residence halls, research labs, tennis courts, a dining hall, a café, a convenience store, a library, a theatre, and a gym. It is also within walking distance of downtown Durham, with its award-winning restaurants, historical sites, and tech start-ups.

Freshmen live together on East Campus, while sophomores and juniors live on West Campus or in one of the university's apartment complexes. The West Campus, built in 1930, is designed in a Gothic style and is dominated by the 210-foot tower of Duke Chapel. It is home to the Perkins, Bostock, and Rubenstein Libraries, as well as the Brodhead Center for Campus Life, which serves as a gathering spot for informal meetings, dining, and artistic performances.

The East Campus, on the other hand, was the original Durham campus and was rebuilt in stately Georgian architecture. It became the home for all first-year students in 1995 and currently houses over 1,700 new students each year. The campus includes residence halls, dining facilities, and academic and recreational resources, providing a well-rounded experience for freshmen as they transition to university life.

Students are required to live on campus for their first three years

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, requires students to live on campus for their first three years. The campus spans 8,693 acres, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,488 students as of Fall 2023. The gender distribution is 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

First-year students live on the East Campus, a five-minute bus ride from West Campus. This campus includes 172 acres of open lawns, residence halls, research labs, tennis courts, a dining hall, a café, a convenience store, a library, a theatre, and a gym. It is also within walking distance of downtown Durham, with its award-winning restaurants, historical sites, and tech start-ups.

Second and third-year students live on the West Campus or in one of the university's apartment complexes. The West Campus is home to the iconic Duke Chapel, with its soaring 210-foot tower, and is dominated by Gothic architecture.

The requirement for students to live on campus for their first three years fosters a close-knit community and a strong residential culture. It also ensures that students have easy access to the wide range of resources and opportunities that Duke University offers, including academic clubs, service organizations, arts groups, Greek life, and Division I sports teams.

Duke University provides a vibrant and engaging campus life, with a variety of activities and facilities available to students.

The campus spans 8,600+ acres, providing space for students to roam and explore

Duke University's campus spans over 8,600 acres, providing students with ample space to explore and enjoy their time at the university. The campus offers a vibrant and diverse community, with students from various cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographical backgrounds.

The first-year students at Duke University live on the East Campus, which spans 172 acres and offers a mix of academic, residential, and recreational spaces. The East Campus includes open lawns, residence halls, research labs, tennis courts, dining options, a library, and a theatre. It is also conveniently located near Durham's Ninth Street District, where students can explore various dining and shopping options.

The East Campus served as the home of the Woman's College of Duke University until 1972 when the men's and women's undergraduate colleges merged. Today, both men and women undergraduates enrol in either the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences or the Pratt School of Engineering. The East Campus provides a close-knit community for first-year students to transition into university life, with about 85% of students living in college-owned or affiliated housing.

In addition to the East Campus, Duke University's campus includes the West Campus, known for its Gothic architecture and the iconic 210-foot tower of Duke Chapel. The West Campus is home to upperclassmen and offers a variety of dining options, libraries, and study spaces. The university also has a golf course, a marine lab, and the Duke Forest, which covers over 7,000 acres, providing a natural outdoor laboratory and recreational space.

With such a large and diverse campus, students at Duke University have numerous opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities, academic clubs, research projects, and internships. The university fosters a collaborative and competitive environment, encouraging students to explore their interests and develop their passions. The campus life at Duke University is an integral part of the student experience, providing a well-rounded and enriching education.

Frequently asked questions