Duke vs Central Florida - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Duke: 5.7% against 44.7% (Central Florida).
The larger international cohort belongs to Duke: 10.6% of students against 3.3% (Central Florida).
Real money goes to international students at Duke ($90,599 on average), while Central Florida stops at $928.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Duke starts at $92,955 against $42,038 and ends at $20,518 against $30,224 (Central Florida).
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 44.71% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #401-500). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 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 Central Florida for: lower tuition, 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 44.71% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1260).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $58K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 55,135 |
| International students | 10.6% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 100% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | - | $30 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Duke or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Central Florida?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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