Duke vs Emory - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Duke: 5.7% against 10.3% (Emory).
The larger international cohort belongs to Emory: 16.7% of students against 10.6% (Duke).
Average aid for an international student is $90,599 (Duke) and $54,457 (Emory).
The tuition gap is $5,116 a year: $68,056 (Emory) against $73,172.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 10.29% 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 $80K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 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 Emory 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 10.29% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1510).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $80K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 91.1%).
Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $67,329).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 34,614 |
| International students | 10.6% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Emory?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Duke or Emory graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Emory?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Emory?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $67,329 at Emory.
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