What SAT score do you need for Duke? (Middle 50%: 1510–1570)
First-year students at Duke who sent an SAT scored 1510–1570, with a median of 1550 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Duke admits 5.7% of applicants and is test optional.
Where your score lands at Duke
First-year students who sent an SAT: 1510–1570, median 1550
Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high
Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Duke is for you and whether to send your score.
Duke by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 5.7%
- Middle 50% SAT
- 1510–1570
- Median SAT
- 1550
- About on the ACT
- 34–36
- Sent an SAT
- 48%
Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Duke admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
Duke admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 66%, from 31,220 in 2015 to 51,795 in 2024, and Duke's admit rate went from 11% to 5.7%.
- 11%
- 5.7%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 51,795 | 2,957 | 5.7% |
| 2023 | 46,365 | 3,145 | 6.8% |
| 2022 | 50,016 | 3,174 | 6.3% |
| 2021 | 49,703 | 2,927 | 5.9% |
| 2020 | 39,639 | 3,068 | 7.7% |
| 2019 | 41,947 | 3,187 | 7.6% |
| 2018 | 35,786 | 3,189 | 8.9% |
| 2017 | 33,077 | 3,261 | 10% |
| 2016 | 31,671 | 3,430 | 11% |
| 2015 | 31,220 | 3,566 | 11% |
In fall 2024, 1,740 of the 2,957 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
What each SAT score means at Duke
Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.
- Under 1550Far reachHold
- 1550–1560Far reachSend
- 1570 and upReachSend
Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.
Duke SAT sections and ACT
Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.
| Test | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 770 | 790 | 790 |
| SAT Reading and Writing | 740 | 760 | 780 |
| SAT total | 1510 | 1550 | 1570 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
Of enrolled first-year students, 48% sent an SAT and 27% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.
Duke cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $29,612
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 97%
- Median earnings
- $97,800
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 6,786
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like Duke
Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.
- Johns HopkinsBaltimore, MD · 6.4% admitted1530–1565, median 1550
- MITCambridge, MA · 4.5% admitted1520–1570, median 1550
- StanfordStanford, CA · 3.6% admitted1520–1570, median 1550
- BrownProvidence, RI · 5.4% admitted1510–1560, median 1540
- UChicagoChicago, IL · 4.5% admitted1500–1560, median 1540
- NorthwesternEvanston, IL · 7.7% admitted1510–1560, median 1540
More colleges in North Carolina
Sources
- Duke Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- Duke admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
- Duke website
Duke University
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
Questions
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Raise your score before you apply
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