Duke vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Duke admits 5.7%, Boston University admits 12.8%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 10.6% (Duke).
Real money goes to international students at Duke ($90,599 on average), while Boston University stops at $56,639.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Duke: $98K against $83K.
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 12.83% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #101-150). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $83K). Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 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 Duke for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Boston University for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 12.83% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1470).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $83K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 88.7%).
Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $69,396).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 76,776 |
| International students | 10.6% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 100% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Duke or Boston University graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Boston University?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Boston University?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $69,396 at Boston University.
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