Our Students
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 conferences and events, Duke Law students contribute to an academic environment that values creativity, encourages collaboration, and stresses professional development.
The students making up the JD class of 2022 come from 36 different U.S. states and from four other countries. They represent 112 different undergraduate institutions, and a number have graduate degrees including PhDs in archaeology, molecular medicine, and physics; Masters degrees in urban planning, civil engineering, electrical engineering, regulatory science, African history, bioethics & science policy, philosophy, and political science; Masters of Education; and Masters in Public Administration. 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: 3.65/3.87
- Median LSAT: 169
- LSAT 25/75 percentiles: 167/170
- 220 students enrolled from 5,125 applicants
- Average age: 24 (ages range from 21 to 35)
- Women: 59%, Men: 41%
- Total Students of Color: 38%
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.
Many 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.
Learning to write like a lawyer is perhaps the greatest challenge of legal education. The writing faculty support Duke Law students in all of their writing endeavors, helping them to develop and perfect the skills necessary to produce top-quality legal writing.
Leadership is a critical component of a Duke Law education and a fully engaged life in the law. Our “Blueprint to LEAD” outlines the values we think are critical for leadership, and we incorporate these ideals into our curriculum, programs and interactions with each other. By articulating these ideals and living them, by supporting and encouraging creativity, and by giving students the tools needed to accomplish their goals, we set students on course to achieve extraordinary things.