When evaluating MBA applicants, Duke Fuqua’s MBA program talks about the “decency quotient,” by which they mean that they want to recruit students who are decent human beings, not just selfish, profit-maximizing machines. Fuqua’s intense focus on recruiting students with the right personal qualities means that they often lag behind peer schools in the GMAT– not because they don’t see a lot of applicants with high GMAT scores, but because they stick to their principles of admitting only the students who fit their MBA program’s culture.
This selection process makes sure that students fit in with Team Fuqua, and have a genuine interest in helping others to achieve their full potential. It also supports Duke Fuqua’s outreach to post-MBA employers, who share Fuqua’s desire to recruit people who are not only intelligent but caring.
Fuqua’s location near the Research Triangle puts it next to many interesting companies, including IBM, Credit Suisse, Cisco, Bayer, Dupont, and others. This proximity to innovation has also driven Fuqua to be a pioneer in offering STEM-certified programs, like their MSTeM program (Management Science and Technology Management), which was one of the first US MBA programs to be STEM-certified.
| Class Size | 385 |
| Acceptance Rate | 21% |
| GMAT Average | 715 |
| GMAT Minimum | 670 |
| GMAT Maximum | 760 |
| GPA Average | 3.5 |
| GPA Minimum | 3.1 |
| GPA Maximum | 3.89 |
| Average Age | 29 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 6.1 |
| Diversity Women | 45% |
| Diversity Intl. | 47% |
| Pre-MBA Industries | Financial Services: 18% Technology: 15% Consulting: 12% Government: 11% Health: 8% Non-profit / Education: 6% Consumer Goods: 5% Energy / Chemical / Utilities: 5% Manufacturing: 5% Other: 15% |
| Undergraduate Majors | Engineering / Natural Sciences: 37% Business & Accounting: 30% Liberal Arts: 15% Economics: 12% Other: 6% |
The data above is from 2023 and represents the Duke Fuqua class of 2025.
See the full report: Duke Fuqua MBA Class Profile
| Salary Median | $205,000.00 |
| Offers Upon Graduation | 87% |
| Offers At 3 Mos. | 93% |
| Post-MBA Industries | Consulting: 43% Financial services: 21% Technology: 17% Health care: 6% Consumer Packaged Goods: 6% |
| Post-MBA Locations | United States: 96% Mid-Atlantic: 10% Midwest: 12% Northeast: 21% South: 18% Southwest: 15% West: 20% Non U.S.: 4% |
| Post-MBA Companies | Consulting Technology Financial Services Healthcare Consumer Packaged Goods |
| Career Development Resources |
The data above is from 2023 and represents the career statistics for the Duke Fuqua class of 2023.
See the full report: Duke Fuqua MBA 2023-2024 Employment Report
And to find out what employment resources Duke offers to international students, check out our article: Opportunities for International MBA Students at Fuqua.
Duke Fuqua’s MBA curriculum is distributed over a period of 22 months. The MBA begins with a month-long orientation that covers three courses. After that, each academic year is comprised of four six week-long terms. Students complete 14 core courses during their time at Fuqua, three of which take place during the summer orientation month. The remaining 11 courses are taken over the first year of the program. At Fuqua, you will begin taking electives in the second half of your first year. The program offers a selection of over 100 electives, including classes in Strategy, Decision Sciences, and Health Sector Management.
See the full offering of courses: Duke Fuqua MBA Course Catalog
Although Fuqua does not offer majors, students are free to pursue a concentration or certificate. Fuqua students can choose from one or more of 12 concentrations.
Fuqua also offers certificates in Finance and Health Sector Management. In addition, for students who would like to refine their analytical skillset, Fuqua has established the Management Science and Technology Management track that focuses on providing students with the tools needed to improve their analytical decision-making abilities.
Fuqua’s experiential program provides three distinct ways in which students can gain hands-on experience while in the program. Students interested in gaining practical consulting experience can do so via the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP). Those interested in undertaking new commercial or social ventures in the future can prepare themselves by participating in the Program for Entrepreneurs. Moreover, through Fuqua on Board, students are matched with a local non-profit organization to serve on their boards as a non-voting member.
Duke’s Fuqua hosts five research centers that cover a range of subjects across a variety of sectors: the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Fuqua Center for Leadership and Ethics, the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment, and Health Sector Management.
As part of their international study program, Fuqua partners with a number of business schools across the globe, where students can complete a semester or a short-term program abroad. Students can also learn about other cultures by taking one of the language courses offered at Fuqua.
Jason passed through some very unusual pre-MBA jobs—such as working for a mom and pop tax preparation company—and then heading for a Duke MBA at the Fuqua School of Business with a scholarship as a step towards a management consulting job.
Hear how he navigated the MBA application process and ultimately won a spot in the Fuqua MBA Class of 2022.
The latest application requirements set by the Duke MBA admissions office are described below.
Here are the prompts for Fuqua’s most recent application:
Personal Essay
Career Goals Essay
Campus Contribution Essay
Optional Essays
Reapplicant Essay
Read more: Duke Fuqua MBA Essays: Tips and Prompts
The Fuqua MBA interview is 30-45 minutes long and carried out by one of three people: An admissions staff member, an alumnus/a, or an admissions fellow (a second-year MBA student). Former interviewees report that the interview is more about seeing if you are a good “fit”, rather than elaborating on your resume and work experience. MBA candidates can interview during the “Open Interview Period” or by invitation in each application round.
For more on this, see our Duke Fuqua MBA Interview Guide.
| Admissions Info | MBA Program Home Page Admissions Home Page Application Requirements |
| How to Apply | Request Information Start an Application |
| Meet Fuqua Business School | Visit Campus Admissions Events – Upcoming Connect with a Student |
| Do Your Research | Fuqua MBA Student Blog Fuqua Insights Fuqua News Fuqua in the Media Faculty Directory |
Team Fuqua: “Team Fuqua” is their word for the special camaraderie between students and the practices that maintain it. “It is a way of working. It’s the instinct to draw out strengths in others to move a team forward toward a common goal.”
Program Location: Durham: “Today, Durham is a global economic player driven by knowledge-based enterprises—including everything from software and information technology to film and TV production.”
The Research Triangle Park (RTP) provides several opportunities to work with innovative local companies.
MSTEM Program: This program not only teaches business analytics, but also allows international students to qualify for a STEM extension to the OPT period attached to their student Visa. (It is similar to MSDS program at Darden)
Decency Quotient, “DQ”: One of the three measures Fuqua Dean Bill Boulding believes make a great leader, along with Intelligence, “IQ” and Emotional Intelligence, “EQ”. DQ implies “that you not only have empathy for others, but genuinely care about them and will act in the interest of helping them.”
Dive deeper into the Duke Fuqua MBA program with personalized insights from our MBA consultants, guiding you towards academic excellence and career advancement.
*All data retrieved from the Duke Fuqua MBA Program webpages, unless otherwise stated.
