Duke University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
If you’re looking at Duke, you probably already know it carries a world-class reputation—and a price tag to match. For first-generation parents, it can feel overwhelming to sort out how scholarships really work at a private university like this. Here we break down what Duke actually costs, which merit awards are realistic, and how opportunities like ROTC or research funding can make a difference. You can also compare with state aid options at our North Carolina guide and browse other schools through the CRP hub.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Duke University
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $70,265 |
| Mandatory Fees | $2,907 |
| Housing | $10,910 |
| Meals | $10,075 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,434 |
| Transportation | $936 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,214 |
| Total Billed Expenses | $94,157 – $94,217 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $99,159 – $101,364 |
No Reciprocity or WUE Programs: Because Duke is a private university, regional tuition exchange programs like WUE or NEBHE do not apply. All students pay the same sticker price, regardless of residency.
Cost of Attendance FAQs
Does Duke have different in-state and out-of-state tuition?
No. As a private university, all undergraduates pay the same tuition and fee rates.
Why do totals appear as a range?
The housing and meal plan costs vary slightly by residence hall and dining plan, which is why Duke publishes a range rather than a single figure.
Can financial aid lower these costs?
Yes. Duke meets 100% of demonstrated need, and some scholarships can cover nearly all billed expenses. Certain aid packages may also require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Duke University does not award admission-based automatic merit scholarships. Unlike many public universities, there is no GPA/test score grid that guarantees a set scholarship amount. Instead, all institutional merit at Duke is highly competitive and committee-selected (see the next section for details).
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | — | No automatic awards at Duke | — | — | All merit is competitive |
Note: Duke does not participate in National Merit automatic awards or the Stamps Scholarship program.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Does Duke superscore ACT or SAT results?
Yes. Duke reviews the highest section scores across test dates for both the SAT and ACT. This can help applicants present their strongest combined scores, even though Duke does not tie scholarships directly to those numbers.
Do I need a separate application for automatic merit?
No. Since there are no automatic awards at Duke, there’s nothing to apply for. All merit scholarships are selective and require review by the Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF).
Can automatic merit be stacked with need-based aid?
Not applicable here—since Duke does not offer automatic merit. However, competitive scholarships typically cover full tuition and fees, which can interact with need-based aid packages. Families should double-check stacking rules with financial aid if awarded one of these rare scholarships.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Duke doesn’t hand out automatic merit awards. Instead, it runs a small group of highly selective cohort programs for incoming students. These scholarships cover most or all billed expenses, but they are extremely competitive and usually go to about 2% of the incoming class. Finalists are often invited to interviews and considered directly by the Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF).
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.B. Duke Scholars | Full tuition, fees, housing & meals (4 years) | All admitted first-years, U.S. and international | No | Yes — maintain good standing | Students with near-perfect transcripts in the most rigorous courses available, often with state or national recognition in research, science fairs, or creative competitions. |
| B.N. Duke Scholars | Full tuition, fees, housing & meals (4 years) | Residents of NC or SC | No | Yes — maintain leadership & service | Students from North or South Carolina who combine excellent grades (generally A averages in honors/AP/IB) with sustained community service and leadership roles. |
| Trinity Scholarships | Substantial tuition support (varies) | Students from select NC/SC regions | No | Yes | Admitted students from select NC/SC regions with strong GPAs and evidence of leadership or service in their schools or communities. |
| Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program | No competitive scholarship; provides enrichment funding and mentorship | Open to all Duke undergraduates; focused on students engaged with Black academic excellence and community leadership | No — students are invited or may join through campus engagement | Yes — continued participation required | Students who actively contribute to leadership, service, and scholarship related to the African diaspora community; program is developmental, not an admissions-based award |
| Karsh International Scholars | Full tuition, fees, housing & meals (4 years) | Non–U.S. citizens or permanent residents | No | Yes | International students with outstanding academic records and rigorous secondary curricula, often with recognition such as Olympiads, national exams, or major civic leadership experience. |
| Robertson Scholars Leadership Program | Full tuition, housing, meals, fees + funded summers | Applicants to Duke or UNC–Chapel Hill | Yes — separate Robertson application | Yes | Applicants who combine strong academics with major leadership achievements — such as founding organizations, leading service projects, or holding state/national leadership positions. |
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
How competitive are these awards?
Extremely — only a small fraction of admitted students are selected. For most programs, fewer than 50 students receive these awards each year.
Do I need to apply separately?
Most programs (A.B. Duke, B.N. Duke, Karsh, Trinity, Reginaldo Howard) require no extra application — you’re considered through your admissions file. The Robertson Scholars Program is the exception and has its own portal and deadlines.
Can these scholarships be combined with need-based aid?
No. These awards cover full tuition and major expenses. If you win one, it replaces the need-based aid package — but your net cost will usually be even lower.
What signals stand out to the selection committees?
A mix of excellent grades in the most rigorous courses, meaningful leadership or service, and (for some programs) national or international recognition in academics, research, or community impact.
⭐ College Specialty
Duke isn’t just known for basketball—it’s a nationally recognized research powerhouse (classified as an R1 research university) with standout programs that attract students from all over the world. For parents, this means your student can plug into top-ranked majors that carry weight in both graduate admissions and the job market.
- Public Policy (Sanford School): One of the largest and most respected undergraduate policy programs in the U.S., with strong pipelines into government, nonprofits, and graduate policy schools.
- Environmental Sciences & Policy (Nicholas School): Nationally recognized for sustainability and marine science, with access to the Duke Marine Lab and interdisciplinary research centers.
- Computer Science: Growing rapidly with industry ties and undergraduate research opportunities; ranked among the top 25 nationally (U.S. News 2025).
- Nursing & Health Professions: Duke’s School of Nursing graduate programs are consistently #1 in U.S. News rankings, giving undergraduates strong pre-professional pathways in health sciences.
🎖️ Honors College
Duke does not have a stand-alone Honors College. Instead, students pursue Graduation with Distinction through their major department or through an interdisciplinary track. This pathway gives motivated students the chance to work one-on-one with faculty, complete original research, and graduate with an official honors designation on their transcript.
- Faculty mentorship on a senior thesis or research project
- Smaller seminars and deeper academic engagement in the major
- Access to Undergraduate Research Support (URS) funding opportunities
- Transcript notation of Distinction, High Distinction, or Highest Distinction
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply to their major department’s distinction program, usually in junior year, with a proposal and faculty endorsement.
Does pursuing distinction add time to graduation?
No. The thesis or research project is completed within the normal four-year plan, typically during the junior and senior years.
Are there scholarships tied to honors?
Not directly. Honors students may apply for research funding through URS or departmental awards, but there are no central honors-only scholarships.
What deadlines should students keep in mind?
Each department sets its own application deadlines (commonly late sophomore or early junior year). Students should check with their major advisor well in advance.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Duke’s price tag is high, but families should know that the university commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated need and offers some of the most selective merit programs in the country. Beyond the headline scholarships, options like ROTC, DukeEngage, and QuestBridge can open doors to major savings and unique experiences. If your student is aiming for Duke, the key is to apply on time, take advantage of the CSS Profile for aid, and understand that most merit awards here are truly competitive. Knowing these details ahead of time helps parents set realistic expectations while still keeping Duke within reach.
✅ Last updated: September 13, 2025