Undergraduate Student Outcomes

Know Where You’re Going, By Graduation

After four years with us, you’ll have learned a lot. How to work in diverse teams. How to apply technical know-how. How to succeed after failure. But perhaps most importantly, you’ll have discovered a lot about your purpose. Understanding their purpose means that most of our graduates know where they’re heading after graduation, well before putting on the mortarboard and shaking hands with the dean.

Ready to Make an Impact

As they get ready to graduate, we ask our students about their life and career plans. Here’s what the Class of 2023 had to say:

60%

expected to be working full-time in the fall

4 out of 5

of those planning to work for pay had a job or job offers by graduation

33%

planned to study full-time in graduate or professional school

Enrollment & Graduation Rates

Academic YearTotal UndergraduatesDegrees Awarded
20231,314290
20221,278289
20211,289277
20201,212283
20191,257299

Total undergraduates at the beginning of the fall semester. Degrees awarded are a grand total for the academic year, first major, only. More data is available through the Office of the University Registrar.

Student Learning Outcomes

Our students will have the following capabilities upon completion of their degrees:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Outcomes by Major

Biomedical Engineering

Our BME graduates are prepared to work in medical device design and development, engineering consulting, medicine and biotechnology. In recent years, about half have gone to work full-time after graduation. About 40% went on to medical school or graduate school.

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Duke civil engineers design infrastructure that provides drinking water and energy or that facilitates movement, communication and commerce. Environmental engineers find methods to control pollution and make communities resilient to climate change. About two-thirds of recent graduates went directly into full-time work after graduation. A third went on to graduate or professional school.

Electrical & Computer Engineering

Our ECE graduates apply their knowledge of advanced computing, including AI and machine learning, and electronics to design digital systems, networks, software and hardware. Nearly 80% go into full-time positions with leading tech companies. About 15% attend graduate school.

Mechanical Engineering

Duke mechanical engineering graduates design machines and systems that make life better. Many of our recent graduates have taken roles working with robotic, aerospace and medical technologies. About two-thirds go into full-time work after graduation. A third transition to graduate or professional school.

Interested in joining our community?

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