Duke Law attracts students from around the world who are incredibly smart, insatiably curious, and committed to excellence. Through a wide variety of student organizations, eight journals, and a full slate of student-planned conference and events, Duke Law students contribute to an academic environment that values creativity, encourages collaboration, and stresses professional development.
Class of 2021
The students making up the class of 2021 come from 39 different U.S. states as well as Washington, D.C., and from nine other countries. They represent 110 different undergraduate institutions, and a number have graduate degrees including PhDs in political science, marketing, and history; Masters degrees in arts business, accounting, conflict management, electrical engineering, and marine studies; Masters of Public Policy; and Masters in Professional Accounting. Their backgrounds include science, teaching, education, entertainment, the arts, politics, public policy, government, business, technology, sports, and non-profit sector work.
- Median GPA: 3.78
- GPA 25/75 percentiles: 3.66/3.87
- Median LSAT: 169
- LSAT 25/75 percentiles: 167/170
- 236 students enrolled from 5,558 applicants
- Average age: 24 (ages range from 21 to 42)
- Women: 50%, Men: 50%
- Total Students of Color: 28%
Meet our Students
About the Curriculum
Duke Law’s curriculum begins with a slate of first-year courses designed to instill foundational knowledge in core concepts and strong legal writing and analytical skills. Upper level courses are designed to deepen legal skills and strengthen understanding of how the law informs and changes the world around us. Our goal is to provide students with the resources and tools needed to design their own curricular path—a path that excites, challenges, and prepares students for success and leadership in the law.
Dual Degrees
Nearly 25 percent of Duke Law students choose to pursue a dual degree. Duke is the only elite law school in the country that allows students to earn both a law degree and a master's degree in three years. Professional dual degree programs are four years long. The program allows for maximum flexibility by encouraging students to chart a course of specialized study.
Academic Strengths
Duke Law’s curriculum is designed to be flexible, giving students the opportunity to design much of their course schedule to meet intellectual and career goals. The Law School provides a vast selection of courses and opportunities to develop specialized expertise, with particularly strong concentrations of courses, programs and opportunities in the following areas: