Trustees Continue Discussion of Duke’s Global Strategy, Launch Campaign

Trustees also set tuition and fees for next academic year

The stone arched entrances to Allen Buidling on Duke's West Campus

At its quarterly meeting, the Duke University Board of Trustees held the third session of a year-long program of engagement focused on Duke’s global strategy. Students, faculty and administrators are participating alongside trustees to discuss ways to leverage Duke’s existing global assets to advance Duke’s strategic priorities and address major global challenges such as climate change, global health and sustainable economic development.  

The February meeting focused on Duke’s two longstanding campus partnerships in Asia—Duke Kunshan University and the Duke-NUS Medical School. Highlights of the session included a panel discussion featuring internal and external experts on Asia and international relations.

The trustees reaffirmed Duke’s commitment to providing financial aid for all admitted undergraduate students who qualify. More than half of Duke undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance, including need-based aid, athletic scholarships and endowed competitive scholarships. For U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens, Duke is among a select group of institutions ensuring that students applying for financial aid are not disadvantaged in the admissions process. Upon acceptance, Duke meets the full demonstrated financial need of every student. Tuition increases are fully covered for students who are receiving need-based financial aid.

Duke provides additional financial support through the Carolinas Financial Aid Initiative. Admitted undergraduate students who are residents of North Carolina or South Carolina and who come from families with a total income of $150,000 or less receive a full tuition grant. For Duke undergraduates from the Carolinas with total family incomes of $65,000 or less, the university provides full tuition grants, plus financial assistance for housing, meals and other expenses, without loans. For more information, visit the Carolinas Financial Aid Initiative website.

Following analysis and discussion with university leadership, and mindful of the fact that students receiving financial aid will have their support adjusted for any increases, the Board of Trustees approved a 5.9% increase in the total cost of attendance for Duke undergraduates in 2025-26, including tuition, fees, room and board. Tuition increases for graduate and professional school programs will range from 0% to 4.7%.

For 2025-26, undergraduate tuition for students not receiving aid will be $70,265, and total cost of attendance before financial aid, including tuition, fees, room and board, will be $92,042.

The board also dedicated historic spaces in the Allen Building as the Janet Hill Executive Boardroom and the Hill Family Presidential Suite in honor of the late Trustee Emerita Janet Hill and her family. Janet Hill served as a member of the Duke University Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2021 and was honored posthumously in 2022 with the University Medal for Distinguished Meritorious Service. Janet Hill’s son, Grant Hill ’94, is a current trustee.

In other business, the board:

  • Attended the launch of the new comprehensive campaign;
  • Discussed Athletics and the QuadEx undergraduate student experience;
  • Received updates on Duke University Health System and Duke Kunshan University; and
  • Approved recommendations from the board’s standing committees.