Duke University

Duke University is a private institution that was founded in 1838. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,680, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 8,709 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Duke University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 8. Its tuition and fees are $43,623 (2012-13).

Durham, N.C., which surrounds Duke’s campus, offers a variety of activities including shopping, dining, and entertainment. Its "Bull City" nickname comes from the Blackwell Tobacco Company’s Bull Durham Tobacco. Students at Duke are required to live on campus for their first three years, and freshmen live together on the East Campus. 

Duke University is divided into 10 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Its graduate programs include the highly ranked Fuqua School of Business, Pratt School of Engineering, School of Law, School of Medicine, Sanford School of Public Policy, and School of Nursing. Duke also offers graduate programs through its well-respected Divinity School and Nicholas 

When applying to Duke University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 2, and the early decision deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 2. The application fee at Duke University is $75. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 14.0 percent.

The student-faculty ratio at Duke University is 7:1, and the school has 71.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Duke University include: Biology, General; Psychology, General; Economics; Political Science and Government; and Public Policy Analysis. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97.0 percent.

Duke University offers a number of student services including women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Duke University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Duke University.

At Duke University, 45.1 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $36,877.