In 1897, at Washington Duke's request, the school began admitting women as regular students, making it an early co-educational institution.

When did Duke go coed?

In 1972, the Woman's College at Duke was eradicated. This allowed coed housing on the West and East Campus. Despite its significant historical Methodist influence, Duke is officially nondenominational. However, Duke maintains a supportive relationship with the Methodist Church.

When did Duke integrate?

In the fall of 1963, the first five African-American undergraduates entered Duke, joining the black students who had enrolled in Duke Law School in 1961 and the Divinity and Graduate Schools in 1962. These pioneers set the university on a path toward becoming a diverse, global institution.