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Duke University

Durham, NC

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Eruditio et Religio("Knowledge and Religion")

1838
Founded
Private research university
Type
6,417
Total Students
6,640
Undergrad
9,991
Graduate
$11.9B
Endowment
$66K
Tuition (In-State)
$66K
Tuition (Out-State)
$34K
Avg Net Price
7%
Acceptance Rate
96%
Graduation Rate
6-year
96%
Retention Rate
Doctoral Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Duke University

Duke: A beacon of research excellence, championship spirit, and global impact.

Nestled in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University stands as a prestigious private research institution renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture, groundbreaking research, and a vibrant athletic tradition embodied by the Blue Devils. More than just a beautiful campus, Duke fosters an environment of intense inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to lead in a complex world.

Duke's rich history traces back to 1838 as Brown's Schoolhouse, evolving through several names before becoming Trinity College. Its move to Durham in 1892 was greatly influenced by local benefactors like Washington Duke, who also championed equal educational footing for women. The institution truly transformed in 1924 when James B. Duke established The Duke Endowment, a philanthropic trust that provided the resources for rapid expansion and solidified the university's commitment to excellence, prompting its renaming to honor the Duke family's legacy.

Academically, Duke consistently ranks among the nation's elite, boasting top-tier graduate and professional schools across a wide range of disciplines. From its highly-rated Medical and Law Schools to the innovative Pratt School of Engineering, Duke provides an unparalleled educational experience. The university is a powerhouse of research, spending over $1.2 billion annually, contributing significantly to the famed Research Triangle, and encouraging undergraduate engagement in intensive research experiences.

The student experience is dynamic, with first-year students beginning their journey on the historic Georgian-style East Campus before moving to the Collegiate Gothic West Campus. With its global reach extending to campuses in Singapore and China, Duke offers a truly international perspective. Graduates consistently achieve exceptional outcomes, positioning Duke as a top choice for those seeking a challenging, rewarding, and globally-minded education.

Key Highlights

  • Boasts an impressive $11.9 billion endowment, ranking among the wealthiest private academic institutions in the U.S.
  • A research powerhouse, spending over $1.2 billion annually on research and forming a cornerstone of the Research Triangle.
  • Home of the legendary Blue Devils, a charter member of the ACC with 17 NCAA team championships.
  • Features top-ranked professional programs, including Medical (5th in research), Law (5th), Nursing (2nd), and Fuqua School of Business (tied 10th overall) by U.S. News & World Report.
  • The Pratt School of Engineering holds two Guinness World Records for fuel-efficient and all-electric vehicles, with over 60% of undergraduates engaging in intensive research.
  • Recognized as one of the top universities for graduate outcomes, tying with institutions like Harvard and Yale.

Timeline

1838
Founded as Brown's Schoolhouse in Randolph County, North Carolina.
1841
Chartered as the Union Institute Academy.
1859
Renamed Trinity College due to support from the Methodist Church.
1892
Trinity College moved to Durham, largely due to generosity from Washington Duke and Julian S. Carr.
1896
Washington Duke made a significant donation with the stipulation that women be placed "on an equal footing with men."
1924
James B. Duke established The Duke Endowment, leading to the institution's renaming to Duke University to honor his father.
1935
Construction of the iconic Collegiate Gothic-style Duke Chapel was completed.
1939
The Pratt School of Engineering was created by Duke's board of trustees.
1948
Divinity school students initiated the first concerted effort to push for desegregation of Duke's admission policy.
1999
The Pratt School of Engineering was named following a $35 million gift from alumnus Edmund T. Pratt Jr.
🏛️
188 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

6 notable schools within Duke University

⚙️

Pratt School of Engineering

Established in 1939, this school is known for its immersive curriculum in design, computing, research, and entrepreneurship, holding Guinness World Records for vehicle efficiency and significant annual research expenditures.

⚖️

School of Law

Ranked 5th nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2023–2024).

🏥

Medical School

Ranked 5th in research nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2023–2024).

💉

School of Nursing

Ranked 2nd nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2023–2024).

🏛️

Sanford School of Public Policy

Ranked 5th in Public Policy Analysis in 2019.

💼

Fuqua School of Business

Ranked tied for 10th overall by U.S. News & World Report (2020) and 1st in the nation for its full-time MBA program by BusinessWeek (2014).

Leadership

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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