Cornell vs Duke - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.7% and 8.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1548.
Tuition is practically the same ($72,270 against $73,172), so financial aid, not the sticker price, will decide the cost.
Both meet assessed financial need in full; the real cost therefore depends on your circumstances, not on tuition.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Duke is the more selective of the two (5.71% vs 8.41% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #39). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $98K). Cornell has lower sticker-price tuition ($72,270 vs $73,172 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
Choose Duke for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 8.41% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1540).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $98K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 95.4%).
Cornell has lower sticker-price tuition ($72,270 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #39 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | #27 |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 5.71% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 58.8% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1548 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 51,795 |
| International students | 10.3% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $98K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $172K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 96.8% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 98% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $13,000 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $73,172 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $72,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $27,515 |
| Application fee | $80 | - |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 17,499 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Duke?
It's harder to get into Duke. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Duke accepts 5.71%.
Do Cornell or Duke graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $98K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Duke?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $73,172 per year at Duke.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Duke?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1548 at Duke; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Duke?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #39 for Duke.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Duke?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $72,437 at Duke.
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