Duke University's Class Sizes: How Many Undergrads?

Duke University is a private institution in Durham, North Carolina, that was founded in 1838. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,488 students as of Fall 2023. The campus size is 8,693 acres, and students are required to live on campus for their first three years. The university has a 6-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, with over 3,400 academic staff and over 2,500 full-time faculty members. The undergraduate acceptance rate for 2022 was 6.35%, with a total enrollment of 18,023 students for that year.

Duke University's undergraduate enrollment

Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1838 and currently has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,488 (as of fall 2023). The campus size spans 8,693 acres, and the university offers 68 bachelor's degrees.

The university has a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 6-7%. The student-faculty ratio is 5:1, and the average graduation rate is 96%. Tuition and fees for students are $60,435, and about 50% of students receive some form of financial aid.

The undergraduate experience at Duke centers around Trinity College, with students taking approximately half of their classes within this college. The other half of their classes are taken within their chosen school of enrollment, which could be the Pratt School of Engineering or Duke Kunshan University in China.

The undergraduate curriculum includes a focus on the humanities, with all freshmen taking a writing class and a current-issues seminar class. There are 46 arts and sciences majors, four engineering majors, 52 minors, and various certificate programs offered. Students can also design their own interdisciplinary major in arts and sciences or engineering.

Duke's undergraduate enrollment is diverse, with the Class of 2028 comprising students from all 50 states and 87 nations. About 53% of this class is female, and the demographics reflect the university's commitment to broadening access and promoting diversity.

Duke's student demographics

Duke University is a diverse and inclusive institution with a strong commitment to broadening access and supporting students from all backgrounds. Here is an overview of the student demographics at Duke:

Undergraduate Enrollment

Duke University, a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 6,500 students as of Fall 2023. The campus spans over 8,600 acres, and the student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and various countries.

Gender Demographics

Duke's student population comprises a higher percentage of women, with females making up about 53% of the undergraduate class. This gender distribution is consistent with the overall student body, which is approximately 52% female.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity

Duke University promotes racial and ethnic diversity within its student body. According to the latest data, the racial and ethnic composition of the undergraduate population is as follows:

• White: 52%
• Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander: 29%
• Hispanic/Latino: 14%
• Black: 13%
• Native American, American Indian, Native Alaskan, or Native Hawaiian: 1%

It is important to note that these percentages may not sum up to 100% as students can identify with more than one racial or ethnic group.

Pell Grant Recipients

Duke University has made significant strides in broadening access to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The number of first-year undergraduate students eligible for Pell Grants, which are awarded based on exceptional financial need, has doubled in recent years. In 2022, 17% of Duke's first-year undergraduates were Pell Grant recipients, and this percentage increased to 22% for the incoming class of 2028.

Geographic Origins

While Duke attracts students from across the United States, a significant portion of the undergraduate population comes from the East Coast, Texas, and California. Within the US, North Carolina has the highest representation, with about 15% of the new undergraduate class hailing from the state.

Student-Faculty Ratio

Duke University boasts a low student-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, ensuring that students receive ample attention and support from the faculty, who are predominantly internationally renowned scholars.

Residence and Campus Life

Duke University requires students to live on campus for their first three years, fostering a sense of community and belonging. The campus is divided into East Campus and West Campus, with Central Campus and the Medical Center completing the main areas. East Campus is primarily for freshmen and has a Georgian architectural style. West Campus houses sophomores, juniors, and some seniors, featuring Collegiate Gothic-style buildings. Central Campus previously accommodated undergraduates but now primarily serves graduate students and houses facilities such as the Nasher Museum of Art and the Freeman Center for Jewish Life.

Academic Programs and Co-curricular Activities

Undergraduates at Duke can choose from a wide range of academic programs, with 85% enrolling in the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and the remaining in the Pratt School of Engineering. Duke also offers interdisciplinary majors and numerous minors and certificates. Outside the classroom, Duke students engage in over 700 student groups, including fraternities and sororities, sports clubs, and organizations catering to various interests.

In summary, Duke University's student demographics reflect a diverse and inclusive community, with a strong commitment to broadening access and supporting students from all backgrounds. The university's efforts to enhance racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity enhance the educational experience for all students.

Duke's tuition fees and financial aid

Duke University's tuition fees are $69,140 per year. This is significantly higher than the national average cost of tuition, which is $47,999. The total cost of attendance at Duke, including tuition, fees, housing, and meals, is $88,938 to $89,853 per year. However, it's important to note that Duke offers a need-blind admission policy, which means it admits applicants without considering their families' ability to pay tuition and other college costs.

Duke provides generous financial aid to its students, with 50% to 51% of undergraduates receiving some form of financial assistance. The average need-based grant awarded in 2022-2023 was $58,809, and the average non-need-based scholarship or grant for first-year students was $86,000. Additionally, Duke meets 100% of its students' demonstrated financial need. The net price for the average student receiving need-based aid is $27,082.

The cost of attendance at Duke includes various expenses such as tuition, student activity fees, student services fees, engineering government dues, room and board, books, course materials, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The cost of housing ranges from $4,000 to $8,000 per semester, and dining plans range from $800 to $4,000 per semester.

Duke University is committed to broadening access and enhancing diversity. The number of first-year undergraduate students eligible for Pell Grants, which are awarded to students with exceptional financial need, has increased over the years. The university also received a $100 million endowment in 2023, which includes funding for full tuition grants for undergraduates from North and South Carolina with total family incomes of less than $150,000.

Duke's acceptance rate

Duke University is a highly selective private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,488 students as of Fall 2023. The university's acceptance rate is extremely low, at around 6% to 7%.

The university received a record number of applicants for the Class of 2028, with an increase of nearly 10% from 2023. The number of first-year undergraduate students eligible for Pell Grants, awarded to those with exceptional financial need, has also doubled over the last two years, now accounting for 22% of the incoming class.

The Class of 2028 is made up of 1,733 students from all 50 states and 87 nations, with about 15% of the class coming from North Carolina. Women comprise around 53% of the class, and the racial demographics are as follows:

• 52% White
• 29% Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander
• 14% Hispanic/Latino
• 13% Black
• 1%+ Native American, American Indian, Native Alaskan, or Native Hawaiian

Duke University's tuition and fees are $69,140, and about 50% of undergraduates receive financial aid. The university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergraduates and awards close to $150 million annually in grants and scholarship aid.

Duke's graduation rate

Duke University is a private institution that was founded in 1838. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,488 (as of Fall 2023), with a campus size of 8,693 acres. The university is divided into 10 schools and colleges, with a total of 16,686 students as of Fall 2024.

• 89% 4-Year Graduation Rate
• 95% 6-Year Graduation Rate
• 95% 8-Year Graduation Rate

Duke's official graduation rate is 95%, which is the percentage of students who completed their degree within 150% of the published time, or six years for a standard bachelor's degree program. The average Duke student takes 4.08 years to graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Duke's goal for six-year graduation rates is to exceed the average graduation rate among its peer group by at least 5%. According to data accessed by SACSCOC in November 2017, Duke's IPEDS Graduation Rate (150% time) was 95%, while the peer group's average was 86%. Duke's six-year graduation rates have remained between 94% and 96% over the past ten years.

The university's freshmen retention rate is 97%, which is above the national average of 70.57%. This rate refers to first-time, full-time students who return for their second year.

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