Inside scoop
Ethan Madore
Duke is in an interesting position for a top law school. As a large, sports-obsessed institution in the South, the university at large is focused on community, alumni networks, and balancing having a good time with the idea that it’s an intellectually serious school in the “research triangle.” In its marketing, Duke makes a lot of hay out of faculty work and the academic variety of its students. But admissions insiders understand Duke as one of the most relentlessly pre-professional schools. A serious Big Law feeder, Duke is less interested in pure intellectual engagement and deeply interested in students who can do the work and get excellent professional outcomes.
Admissions stats
LSAT vs GPA
Based on 2025 data from ABA
Based on 2025 data from ABA
Your chances
Trends
Based on data from ABA
Based on data from US News and World Report
Based on data from ABA
Based on data from ABA
Why Duke
Ethan Madore
Duke has great Big Law placements, good clerkship opportunities, and some genuinely interesting things happening on its beautiful campus. As pre-professional as the class is, they’re also dedicated to making a difference through pro-bono work.
For some, Durham is a legitimate draw, as is the very college-movie-esque dedication to basketball and campus life.
Duke is maybe the most STEM-focused East Coast law school. We’ve noticed that degrees in engineering and computer science go far there, even making up for a lower overall GPA.
Employment
Based on 2024 data from ABA
Based on 2024 data from ABA
Tuition & costs
Demographics
Out of 726 students in 2024, 54% were women, and 48% were racial or ethnic minorities.
Based on 2024 data from ABA
Yes, admission to Duke is highly competitive. For the 2025 application cycle, the Duke acceptance rate was 12.88%.
To be a competitive applicant at Duke, you should aim for an LSAT score around the median of 171 and a GPA of 3.91. The middle 50% of accepted students scored between 169 and 172 on the LSAT.
For the 2025 academic year, Duke tuition is $80,100 for full-time students. When factoring in the cost of living and additional fees, the total estimated cost of attendance is $81,829 per year.
Yes, Duke is a highly regarded institution. It is currently ranked #7 in the U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools rankings for 2026.