BSE Electrical & Computer Engineering at Duke University

Programme overview

Duke's undergraduate ECE programme is flexible and career-oriented, and is described as less restrictive than many U.S. ECE programmes. Students can earn a transcript designation of Concentration in Machine Learning or Software Engineering through a more in-depth pathway.

Faculty: Pratt School of Engineering | Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: Durham, NC, United States

What you will study

Students take a First Year Computing course (for those with no coding experience, teaching algorithm design before coding) and the signature First-Year Design course. Optional concentrations are available in machine learning or software engineering.

Career pathways

96% of recent graduates were working or continuing their education six months after graduation; nearly 80% held jobs with a median pay of $95,000. Employers include Apple, Meta, Morgan Stanley and GE Healthcare.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Pratt School of Engineering (applies to the school, not to the major; the major is declared in the summer after the first year). First-year applicants submit the Common Application with high school transcript, secondary school report with counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations; SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional for 2026-2027). Coursework in calculus is required and physics is strongly recommended. Early Decision due November 2; Regular Decision due January 4.

First-year applicants enter in the fall; the 2026-27 admission cycle applies to the Class of 2031, whose spring-semester Duke Embark option is offered to selected students.

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate starts in August for applicants admitted in both the fall and spring rounds.

2026-27 first-year cycle: Early Decision applications are due November 2 (decisions mid-December); Regular Decision applications are due January 4 (decisions late March/early April). Transfer applications are due March 15 (submit between February 1 and March 15). The nonrefundable application fee is $85 (fee waivers available). First-year applicants apply through the Common Application or the QuestBridge Application; transfer applicants use the Duke Transfer Application or the Coalition application powered by Scoir. Duke is test-optional (SAT/ACT) for first-year and transfer applicants in 2026-27.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate 2026-27 application deadlines: Fall round Thursday, October 8, 2026; Spring round Tuesday, January 12, 2027 (applications through OTCAS). Fall applicants are notified the first week of December 2026 and spring applicants the first week of March 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.duke.edu/apply/

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