Duke University
- Private
- Research university
Duke University: international tuition 73,740 USD per year, one-year total cost 80,569 USD, acceptance rate 5.7%. Need-based aid is open to international students. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 100, Duolingo 130.
First-year international students can get Duke need-based aid if they tick the financial aid interest box on the admission application; the Karsh scholarship is for international students with financial need. Merit eligibility for internationals is unclear.
Getting in. The school admits 5.7% of applicants. Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 740–770, Math 760–800, ACT 34–35. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 7+, TOEFL iBT 100+ or Duolingo 130+.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 80,569 USD, before any scholarship. 2 scholarships are confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 2/11. You apply through Common Application. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 10/10/2026Cost checked 10/10/2026
What is the tuition at Duke University?
International tuition is 73,740 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 80,569 USD.
Does Duke University offer scholarships for international students?
Need-based aid is open to international students. First-year international students can get Duke need-based aid if they tick the financial aid interest box on the admission application; the Karsh scholarship is for international students with financial need. Merit eligibility for internationals is unclear.
What English scores does Duke University require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 100, Duolingo 130.
What is the acceptance rate at Duke University?
The acceptance rate is 5.7%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerUnclearAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.The school's official pages do not say whether international students get aid at admission — worth asking the admissions office directly.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.The pages we read mention no scholarship with its own application. Not seeing one does not mean there is none — ask the school.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- Milan Howard2025Vlog
- Milan Howard2025Vlog
- Ali'sMedJourney2026Vlog
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 727 private United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?UnclearThe page only says all students who apply to Duke are considered for merit, without naming international students, so automatic merit review for internationals is not confirmed.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearInternational applicants seeking aid are placed in a separate admission pool, but the pages never say whether ability to pay is weighed, so this stays Unclear.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearThe aid application steps require the CSS Profile, and international applicants may need to send extra documents via College Board, but no single passage ties both points together, so this stays Unclear.
Scholarships at this school
Karsh International Scholars ProgramFull ride / hybridFull ride / hybridFull-ride or combined criteria (achievement and need); usually very competitive.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool pageFull ride
This scholarship is designed for international students (non-U.S. citizens, not dual U.S. citizens), so Yes; demonstrated financial need is required.
Karsh International ScholarshipFull ride / hybridFull ride / hybridFull-ride or combined criteria (achievement and need); usually very competitive.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool pageFull ride
This scholarship is for international students (the current cohort includes Vietnam), but applicants must show financial need.
Duke merit scholarships (Office of University Scholars and Fellows)Intl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
The page only says all students who apply are considered for merit and does not name international students, so eligibility is unconfirmed.
Duke need-based grant for international applicantsIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Need-basedNeed-basedAwarded on family financial circumstances, usually via the CSS Profile or the school's own form.Separate application requiredSchool page
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: CSS Profile by Nov 3 (Early Decision) or Feb 1 (Regular Decision)
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptRequired
- SATACTOptional
- English proficiencyRecommended
- Counselor recommendationRequired
- Teacher recommendationRequired
- EssaysRequired
- Supplementary applicationRequired
- InterviewOptional
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 25 United States schools admitting under 15% that publish it in Duckling's data.
Compared with 14 United States schools admitting under 15% that publish it in Duckling's data.
DeadlinesFall 2026
This cycle's dates have passed; the school has not posted next cycle's dates yet.
Credit for exams
AP credit or advanced placement is assessed after admission and the Registrar’s review of official score reports.
Duke considers IB credit only for High Level (HL) exams; official scores must be sent to the Registrar.
Scores that countfrom HL onlyDuke provides an IPC British A-Levels credit table, with separate score thresholds by subject.
Duke grants a limited amount of credit and advanced placement based on AP scores.
Duke grants a limited amount of credit and advanced placement based on IB scores.
AP credit by subject
32 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Why this school is listed: accepts applications through the Common App.
Updated 11/10/2026How Duckling sources data