Dartmouth vs Duke - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Statistically these are twins: on every comparable axis the differences sit within the noise.
At 5.7% and 6%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
Students admitted to both more often choose Dartmouth (70.9% enrol, against 58.8%).
The price list does not separate these two: $71,525 and $73,172.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 6.02% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #39). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($97K vs $98K). Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 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 Dartmouth for: lower tuition, a larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
Choose Duke for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 6.02% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1520).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $97K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 95.5%).
Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $73,172); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $72,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #39 |
| Rank · THE | - | #27 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 5.71% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 58.8% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1548 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 51,795 |
| International students | 14.5% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $98K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $172K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 96.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $13,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $73,172 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $72,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $27,515 |
| Application fee | - | - |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 17,499 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Duke?
It's harder to get into Duke. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Duke accepts 5.71%.
Do Dartmouth or Duke graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $97K at Dartmouth and $98K at Duke.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Duke?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $73,172 per year at Duke.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Duke?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1548 at Duke; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Duke?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #39 for Duke.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Duke?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $72,437 at Duke.
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