Rankings and recognition
Verified DataCollegesRef does not invent magazine-style ranks. This section surfaces verified classification data and editorial context only.
Carnegie classification
A Doctoral University (which undergraduates attend) with very high research activity
Institutional classification used for academic peer grouping.
Athletics
NCAA Division I
NCAA division where available from verified imports.
Editorial spotlight
Duke University — CollegesRef college guide
Students researching Duke acceptance rate (2026) use CollegesRef to compare verified admissions, cost, and outcome data for Duke University. Location: Durham, NC. Duke University: acceptance rate 6%, grad rate 96%. Verified IPEDS & College Scorecard data — editorial review separate from facts.
Similar schools
Related colleges
Explainable similarity scores based on admissions, cost, outcomes, and campus profile.
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91Davidson, NC
Campus culture / environment alignment (100/100)
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88New York, NY
Academic / institutional profile alignment (100/100)
Carnegie Mellon University
87Pittsburgh, PA
Academic / institutional profile alignment (100/100)
Brown University
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Academic / institutional profile alignment (100/100)
Carolina Christian College
84Winston Salem, NC
Geography / setting alignment (100/100)
Case Western Reserve University
83Cleveland, OH
Academic / institutional profile alignment (100/100)
Barnard College
82New York, NY
Special attributes alignment (100/100)
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
82Concord, NC
Geography / setting alignment (100/100)
Boston University
81Boston, MA
Academic / institutional profile alignment (100/100)