Duke vs Boston College - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Duke admits 5.7% of applicants, while Boston College admits 16.2%.
Average aid for an international student is $90,599 (Duke) and $39,634 (Boston College).
48 points separate the SAT profiles: 1548 (Duke) against 1500.
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Duke: 58.8% of them enrol, against 42.5%.
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 16.19% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #501-600). Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $98K). Duke has lower sticker-price tuition ($73,172 vs $73,508 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 Duke for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Boston College for: higher graduate earnings, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 16.19% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1500).
Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $98K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 90.8%).
Duke has lower sticker-price tuition ($73,172 vs $73,508); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 34,779 |
| International students | 10.6% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | - | - |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Duke or Boston College graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $98K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Boston College?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Boston College?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $61,753 at Boston College.
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