Duke University SAT & ACT Scores
Duke's enrolled first-years in the fall 2025 entering class who submitted the SAT had a median of 1550 and a middle-half range of 1510–1570. ACT submitters scored 34–35. Duke admitted 5.2% of 55,541 applicants. For fall 2027 entry, Duke is test-optional: you choose whether to have SAT or ACT scores considered, and Duke says applying without them is not a disadvantage.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Duke University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Duke University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Duke is test-optional for first-year and transfer applicants in the 2026–27 cycle; applicants who apply without SAT or ACT scores are not at a disadvantage.
Superscoring. Duke University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Duke University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
Duke first went test-optional for the 2020–21 admissions cycle and has renewed the policy each year; its current page covers first-year and transfer applicants in the 2026–27 cycle. If you send scores, Duke accepts self-reported results and asks for official scores only from students who enroll. If you are unsure, you can opt out when you apply and opt in later. When you send both tests, Duke considers your best one. On the SAT, it uses your highest section scores from any test date. On the ACT, it takes your highest section scores and averages them into a new composite. SAT essay and ACT writing scores are optional.
Duke University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1570, and the median was 1550.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1510 | 1550 | 1570 |
| Reading & Writing | 740 | 760 | 780 |
| Math | 770 | 790 | 790 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 48% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
The median SAT among enrolled Duke first-years who submitted scores in the fall 2025 entering class was 1550. A quarter scored 1510 or below, and a quarter scored 1570 or above. The middle half scored 740–780 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 770–790 on Math.
Because Duke is test-optional, these ranges describe only enrolled students who chose to have scores considered. In the fall 2025 entering class, 48% of enrolled students submitted the SAT and 27% submitted the ACT. Students admitted without scores are not part of these figures.
Duke says the choice to send scores is entirely yours and that leaving them out will not affect your decision. It suggests looking at its admissions profile of past admitted students as a guide. If your superscore is at or above 1550, it matches the middle of enrolled students who sent the SAT; a score below 1510 would fall in the bottom quarter of that group.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Duke University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 34–35 on the ACT, with a median of 35.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| English | 35 | — | 36 |
| Math | 33 | — | 35 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 27% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
Enrolled Duke first-years who submitted the ACT had a median composite of 35, and the middle half scored 34–35. The middle half scored 35–36 in English and 33–35 in Math. In the fall 2025 entering class, 27% of enrolled students submitted an ACT score.
If you send ACT scores from more than one date, Duke asks you to report your highest section scores from each date along with your official ACT superscore from your MyACT account. The science section is not required, but Duke encourages it, especially for students interested in STEM, and treats a submitted science score as extra information in its holistic review. A composite of 35 matches the top quarter of enrolled students who sent the ACT.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Duke University acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 5.2% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants55,541
- Admitted2,910
- Acceptance rate5.2%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Decision (binding, November deadline) and Regular Decision; no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Duke University 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Duke offers binding Early Decision, for students whose top choice is Duke, and Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
If you choose to send scores to Duke, a practical target is an SAT of 1570 or higher, or an ACT of 35 or higher. Scores near the median of 1550 SAT or 35 ACT are typical for enrolled students who submitted. If your best scores are below 1510 on the SAT or 34 on the ACT, Duke's policy lets you apply without them.
Duke bases its decisions on the whole application, with or without test scores. It recommends four years of English and at least three years each of math, natural science, world language, and social studies, and it requires calculus coursework for applicants to the Pratt School of Engineering, where physics is strongly recommended. Put your effort into those courses and your essays first, then decide whether your scores add to the picture.
How Duke University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | 4.9% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4.9% | — | — | 34–35 | Required |
| Princeton University | 5% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Duke University | 5.2% | 1550 | 1510–1570 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Vanderbilt University | 5.4% | 1530 | 1510–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Northeastern University | 5.6% | 1480 | 1440–1510 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is Duke University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Duke is test-optional for first-year and transfer applicants in the 2026–27 cycle; applicants who apply without SAT or ACT scores are not at a disadvantage. Duke University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Duke University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1550 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1510–1570, so a quarter scored 1570 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Duke University?
A score at or above 1570 puts you in the top quarter of Duke University's enrolled first-years, and 1510–1570 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Duke University?
Duke University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 34–35, with a median of 35 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Duke University's acceptance rate?
Duke University admitted 5.2% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (2,910 of 55,541), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Duke University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 48% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 27% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Duke University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.