Enrollment: 6071
Most Popular Majors: Economics, General,Psychology, General,Public Policy Analysis,
Regular Application Deadline: 01/02
Student Faculty Ratio: 11:1

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $19,779.00

2009 Best Value Colleges – Private
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Students Say - Academics
Duke University "is the complete package: great academics, fun students, exciting athletics, and school spirit," all enjoyed in "an almost Mediterranean climate." Undergraduates choose Duke because they "are passionate about a wide range of things, including academics, sports, community service, research, and fun," and because the school seems equally committed to accommodating all of those pursuits; as one student puts it, "Duke is for the Ivy League candidate who is a little bit more laid back about school and overachieving (but just a bit) and a lot more into the party scene." Academics "are very difficult in the quantitative majors (engineering, math, statistics, economics, pre-med)" and "much easier in the non-quantitative majors, but [it] still take a lot of work not to fall behind." In all areas, "the laid-back atmosphere makes competition practically nonexistent. It's the norm to have large study groups, and the review sessions, peer tutoring system, writing center, and academic support center are always helpful when students are struggling with anything from math homework to creating a resume." Professors' "number one priority is teaching undergraduates," a situation made more remarkable by the fact that many are engaged in "ground-breaking" research. Because "the school has a lot of confidence in its students," it offers them "many research opportunities," one of many manifestations of Duke's "commitment to the undergraduate experience. Duke doesn't ignore its undergrads in favor of its graduate programs."

Students Say - Campus Life
Life at Duke "is very relaxed," with "a great balance between academics and fun. People typically work Monday through Thursday and then go out and enjoy themselves Thursday, Friday, and Saturday." Because "The student union and other organizations provide entertainment all the time, from movies to shows to campus wide parties," there "is always something to do on campus." Indeed, "people usually stay on campus for fun," as hometown Durham "has a few quirky streets and squares with restaurants, shops, clubs, etc., but to really do much you have to go to Raleigh or Chapel Hill," each 20 to 30 minutes away by car. The perception that "Durham is pretty dangerous" further dampens students' enthusiasm for the city. Undergrads' fervor for Blue Devils sports, on the other hand, can be boundless; sports, "especially basketball, are a huge deal here," and undergrads "will paint themselves completely blue and wait in line on the sidewalk in K-ville for three days to jump up and down in Cameron Indoor Stadium." Greek life "essentially runs the party scene, but almost all the parties are open so it definitely isn't hard to get into a party." A solid contingent abjures the Greek scene; some turn to the "several very active selective living groups on campus, which are like a watered-down version of a fraternity or sorority. Several are co-ed, and some have special themes like service and foreign language, but many are just social groups to join."

Students Say - Student Body
The typical Duke student "is someone who cares a lot about his or her education but at the same time won't sacrifice a social life for it. To go to school here is to find the perfect balance, even if that means some late-night cram sessions or last-minute papers. Everyone's focused on success, but that includes social success as well." They tend to be "perfectionists, very involved in seeking out a 'type A' career (read: investment banking or consulting), and go out two to three times a week, always looking polished, even when wasted." An "overwhelming number" are athletes, "not just varsity athletes...but athletes in high school or generally active people. Duke's athletic pride attracts this kind of person." The student body "is surprisingly ethnically diverse, with a number of students of Asian, African, and Hispanic descent."

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