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Duke MBA Class Profile | GMAT Scores, Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Explore the Duke MBA class profile, including the acceptance rate, average GMAT, and average GPA for MBA students at Duke Fuqua School of Business

By     Headshot of Rita Kreig Neumann

Mon Sep 4 2023

BusinessBecause
The Daytime MBA program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business is ranked among the best MBAs in the USA with Duke MBA students hired by top Fortune 500 firms.

So who are these MBA students? Here, we break down Duke MBA class profile data for the class of 2024.

By understanding data points like the Duke MBA average GMAT and GPA, you’ll get a better sense of the quality of students on the Duke MBA and improve your chances of admission.



What is the Duke MBA class size and profile?

The Duke Fuqua MBA class of 2024 consists of 399 students.

Duke MBA students have an average of six years of work experience. 18% come from financial services backgrounds and 14% from consulting.

The remaining 68% of students come to Fuqua from careers in industries such as technology, health services, nonprofit management, and government.

The diversity of professional backgrounds found at Fuqua is likely because Duke MBA offers a large variety of courses and specialties for students of all interests. The program’s six-week term length allows students to take a large number and variety of courses during the two-year tenure.

The Fuqua class profile also demonstrates a diversity of identities and personal backgrounds. 48% percent of the 2024 class self-identify as women–a much larger percentage than you’ll find at other top-ranked business schools in the US. Among the US citizens in Fuqua’s class of 2024, 43% identify as minorities and 25% identify as underrepresented minorities.

The class also includes 39% international students (by citizenship, including Foreign National US status, US permanent resident, and Dual Citizen).

Students in the Duke Daytime MBA come from 55 countries across the world.


What is the Duke MBA acceptance rate?

Duke’s MBA acceptance rate for the class of 2024 is around 20.5%.

Compare this to the acceptance rates at the world’s top business schools, and you will see that Duke MBA admissions are incredibly competitive. Only nine business schools have more competitive admissions rates.

And while 20.5% is significantly less prohibitive than the sub-10% MBA acceptance rates of Stanford and Harvard, it’s still not an easy road to Duke admissions. In the Fuqua class of 2024, there were 3,539 applicants, with 727 admits.  


What is the Duke MBA average GMAT and GMAT score range?

The middle 80% of the Duke MBA class of 2024, who submitted GMAT scores as part of their application, scored somewhere between 680 and 760 on the GMAT.

The Duke average GMAT score is 718. This is in line with the average GMAT scores of the top business schools in the world.

Another way to think about this score range is using GMAT score percentiles. Scoring a combined 670 on Verbal and Quant puts you around the 80th percentile of GMAT test takers, and scoring 750 puts you in the 98th percentile.

The great thing about the Duke MBA class profile is that it provides a GMAT score range, rather than just an average score. Because applications are considered holistically, you may not need a 700+ score to be admitted to Fuqua. 

As long as the other components of your application are strong, you could reasonably score in the 670-700 range and still earn admission. However, if you have less work experience and haven’t had a chance to demonstrate your passion for business leadership in other ways, a GMAT score over 700 will almost certainly improve your chances of admission.


Read: Duke MBA Jobs & Salary Review

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(c)Duke Facebook


What is the Duke MBA average GRE score?

The Fuqua admissions committee will also accept GRE scores in place of GMAT scores. The average combined Verbal and Quant score of the class of 2024 was 318.

Duke does not provide average scores for each GRE section. Nor do they provide GRE score ranges. So what can this statistic tell us?

Well, by comparison, Stanford MBA’s class of 2023 scored an average of 165 on the Verbal and Quant sections, for an average combined score of 330. Stanford is known for having the most competitive business school application standards and a 330 is a top-percentile GRE score. 

Luckily, you don’t need a near-perfect GRE score to earn admission to Fuqua’s top-notch MBA program.

Let’s think about this score of 318 another way. ETS acknowledges that the mean GRE Verbal score is 150.37, and the mean GRE Quant score is 153.66. So, let’s say that the mean combined GRE score is approximately 304. 

Fuqua students are performing approximately 14 points higher than the mean GRE test-taker. If you were to score equally well on GRE Verbal and Quant, you’d need to score about 159 per section to achieve a combined score of 318. In other words–yes, this is a high score.


What is the Duke MBA average GPA?

The Duke Fuqua class of 2024 earned between a 3.1 and a 3.9 average undergraduate GPA.

This represents a wide range of undergrad performances amongst the current enrollees. A 3.9 is a near-perfect, straight-A undergrad report card, whereas a 3.1 leaves room for some Bs and maybe a C or two. 

Again, this provides evidence that Fuqua’s admissions committee looks at the whole application when accepting students. Yes, the program is competitive, but there is room for a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. 

If your GPA falls within the lower end of the Duke MBA GPA range, try to bolster other pieces of your application, such as your test scores, your recommendation letters, or your personal statements. 


What are the Duke MBA admission requirements?

The Duke MBA application is entirely online, and the requirements differ very slightly for US residents and international students. In addition to personal information, the admissions committee wants to learn more about your background, your goals, and why you wish to attend this specific business school.

Duke MBA Requirements include:

- Transcripts
- One required short answer essay (100 words)
- Two required long essays (750 words and 500 words)
- One optional essay (500 words)
- Resume
- One required letter of recommendation (+1 optional)
- Optional endorsement letters from Fuqua students and alumni
- GRE, GMAT, and/or Executive Assessment (EA) scores
- $225 application fee
- 30-45 minute interview

The application process is very similar to those of other top business schools. Note that there are several rounds of application deadlines, plus an early decision option. 

The Round 1 deadline is September 28th 2023, Round 2 is January 9th 2024, Round 3 is in February 2024, and early decision is due September 7th 2023. Refer to the official admissions website for more detailed information, as well as admissions office contact information.


Duke MBA Class Profile | Key Takeaways

Duke Fuqua offers something for students of varied interests and backgrounds. As you can see from the Duke MBA class profile, students come to the program from an enormous range of professional backgrounds, to pursue a variety of career paths. 

Duke MBA students can choose from 14 concentrations or opt for a generalized path. 

The Duke Fuqua MBA is also recently STEM-designated (replacing the prior MSTeM track), which is great news for international students hoping to stay and work in the US after graduating from the program. 

Duke Fuqua’s culture encourages students to embrace innovation and challenge and to be hands-on participants in their education. 

If this sounds like you, and you want to apply to Duke Fuqua, check out our BusinessBecause MBA Application Guide for more information and guidance to support your application.


This article was originally published in February 2022 and updated in September 2023.

Student Reviews

Duke University Fuqua School of Business

Student

Verified

31/10/2023

On Campus

Supportive atmosphere

The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.

Maxwell

Verified

30/03/2023

On Campus

Diversity

The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.

Anabelle

Verified

27/02/2023

On Campus

Happy to school

All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.

Monica

Verified

27/02/2023

On Campus

Good schooling

Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.

Aline

Verified

26/11/2022

On Campus

Beautiful School, Nice Classes

DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

Blended

Amazing experience

I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

Blended

whirlwind of growth and change

An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

On Campus

One of the best for Business students

Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.

Student

Verified

16/06/2022

On Campus

The university campus is awesome

I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.

Dhanush

Verified

12/07/2024

On Campus

Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life

Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty. What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth. Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.

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