Duke Kunshan University has received a record-breaking 11,884 applications for its undergraduate program this year, marking the largest applicant pool in the institution’s history.
The university received 5,882 applications from international students, a 25% increase over the previous record set in 2024, and 6002 applications from Chinese students, a 15% rise from the previous year.
Applicants to the Class of 2029 hail from 144 countries across six continents, with half of international applicants coming from the United States.
The number of international students admitted through early decision more than doubled, from 28 last year to 63, further cementing DKU’s reputation as a top choice for students worldwide.
DKU plans to enroll 550 undergraduates in August, including 385 from China and 165 from abroad. The increase follows a strategic initiative approved by the university’s Board of Trustees last November, which increased total undergraduate enrollment to 2,200 students.
“We are deeply gratified and proud to see the continued growth in international student applications, which reflects the university’s increasing global influence,” said Jessica Sandberg, dean of International Enrollment Management at DKU. “We look forward to welcoming more students from diverse cultural backgrounds around the world to enrich and enhance Duke Kunshan University’s multicultural community and further promote global cultural exchange.”
This year’s international applicants include 24 sets of twins and 12 students applying alongside their siblings. The number of those reapplicants has also surged from 40 last year to 118, reflecting DKU’s increasing appeal.
“For the past three years, we’ve continued to hit new highs while also seeing steady improvement in application quality,” said Dr. Luke Li, dean of China Enrollment Management at DKU. “Many students now have a deeper understanding of DKU’s innovative, globally focused liberal arts education, and their recognition of its strengths continues to grow.”
The Class of 2029, set to begin studies in August, will earn degrees from DKU and Duke University upon graduation. The university emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, and faculty encourages students to engage in research from their first year.
DKU Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. John Quelch described the growing international applicant pool as “a testament to DKU’s rising global reputation and the transformative impact of its liberal arts and sciences education.”
“Students worldwide recognize the value of DKU’s interdisciplinary and research-driven approach, which cultivates critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and global collaborators equipped to tackle an increasingly complex world,” Quelch said. “As we continue to attract top talent, we remain dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that empowers graduates to succeed on the global stage.”
Chancellor Dr. Yaolin Liu said that the record-breaking number of applications underscores DKU’s academic excellence and distinctive educational model, which continue to gain global recognition.
“The growing interest from international students highlights DKU’s reputation as a diverse and globally connected learning community, where students and faculty from different backgrounds engage daily in meaningful cross-cultural exchange.”
DKU’s previous undergraduate classes have achieved notable success. Among its three graduating cohorts, around 84% have pursued graduate studies at the world’s highest-ranked universities, including top 10 and Ivy League institutions in the United States. Students have also earned prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University, the Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University, the Yenching Scholars at Peking University, and the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Others have joined leading global organizations such as Amazon, ByteDance, McKinsey & Company, the World Health Organization, and AstraZeneca.
Founded in 2013, Duke Kunshan is a partnership between Duke University, Wuhan University, and the city of Kunshan, which is designed to create a world-class, research-oriented institution rooted in the liberal arts and sciences tradition.
