Who Is In The Duke MBA Class Of 2027? GMAT Scores, Acceptance Rate And More

The Daytime MBA program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business is ranked among the best MBAs in the world, placing 11th in the Financial Times’ Global MBA Ranking 2025.

So who are the MBA students that study this competitive program? Here, we break down Duke MBA class profile data for the Class of 2027.

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.

Who is in the Duke MBA Class of 2027?

What is the Duke MBA class size and profile?

The Duke Fuqua MBA class of 2027 consists of 426 students.

Duke MBA students have an average of 5.8 years of work experience. In total, 21% come from financial services backgrounds and 16% from consulting. The remaining 63% of students head to Fuqua from careers in industries such as technology, health services, nonprofit management, and government.

The Fuqua class profile also demonstrates a diversity of identities and personal backgrounds. A total of 47% percent of the 2027 graduating class are women, 55% are US students of color, with 39% identifying as underrepresented students of color, and 11% are LGBTQ+.

The class also includes 35% international students (by citizenship, including Foreign National US status, US permanent resident, and Dual Citizen), compared to 41% last year.

Students in the Duke Daytime MBA Class of 2027 come from 43 countries across the world, down from 51 countries that were represented in the MBA Class of 2026.

What is the Duke MBA acceptance rate?

Duke’s MBA acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 is around 22%.

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

And while 22% is slightly less prohibitive than the MBA acceptance rates of the likes of Wharton and Columbia, it’s still particularly challenging to gain admission to Duke. For entry to the Fuqua Class of 2027, there were over 4000 applicants—a record number of applications for the Daytime MBA program.  

What is the Duke MBA average GMAT score range?

The middle 80% of the members of the Duke MBA Class of 2027 who submitted GMAT scores as part of their application scored between 680 and 770, under the previous scoring system. As of 2024, GMAT exam scoring changed as part of a number of key updates to the exam. 

Another way to think about GMAT scoring is to use score percentiles. Scoring a combined 680 on Verbal and Quant puts you around the 83rd percentile of GMAT test takers, which is an estimated result of around 615 using the current scoring system. A score of 770 would place you in the 99th percentile, and translates to a score of around 735 in the updated system.

It's helpful that the Duke MBA class profile provides a GMAT score range, rather than just an average score. It's clear to see that you may not need to score in the highest percentile to be admitted to Fuqua as applications are viewed holistically. 

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

What is the Duke MBA average GPA?

The Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2027 earned between a 3.16 and a 3.91 average undergraduate GPA.

This represents a wide range of undergrad performances amongst the current enrolees. A 3.91 is a near-perfect, straight-A undergrad report card, whereas a 3.16 leaves room for some Bs and maybe a C or two. 

Again, this provides evidence that the Fuqua admissions committee looks at the whole application when accepting students. Although the program is competitive, 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 process is entirely online, and the requirements differ slightly for US residents and international students. In addition to personal information, the admissions committee will want to learn more about your background, your goals, and why you wish to attend Duke specifically. 

Duke MBA admission requirements include:

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

The application process is 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 application deadline is September 30, 2025, Round 2 is January 8, 2026, Round 3 is February 24, 2026, and the Round 4 deadline is April 1, 2026. The official admissions website provides more detailed information on applying to Duke Fuqua’s Daytime MBA, as well as admissions office contact information.

Duke MBA class profile | Key takeaways

⇨ The Duke Daytime MBA class profile of 2027 includes 426 students, with an average of 5.8 years of work experience and an average age of 29 at matriculation.

⇨ 47% of the Class of 2027 are women, 55% identify as US students of color, 35% are international citizens, and 11% are LGBTQ+

⇨ Duke MBA students can choose from 10 concentrations or opt for a generalized path. The Duke Fuqua MBA is also STEM-designated (replacing the prior MSTeM track).

⇨ If 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 is updated annually. It was last updated in September 2025.