• placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-739838605875
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/duke-university/1128888",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Duke University

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Gothic sculptures at the entrance of the main chapel at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Although it can trace its history back to 1838, Duke University became a university, and took its current name, in 1926, thanks to a major endowment from the Duke cigarette family. Spreading across the Georgian-style East Campus and the neo-Gothic West Campus, 1 and 2 miles respectively west of downtown, it has just over 15,000 students.

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-252700834203
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/duke-university/1128888",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/superzone
  • containerId: gpt-ad-794429516301
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "points-of-interest/duke-university/1128888",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}