Duke vs Harvard - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The more international environment is at Harvard (15.7% international students) than Duke (10.6%).
Average aid for an international student is $90,599 (Duke) and $81,046 (Harvard).
The cheaper tuition belongs to Harvard: $64,796 against $73,172, or $8,376 less a year.
At 3.6% and 5.7%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 5.71% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #1). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $98K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 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 Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 5.71% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1548).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $98K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 96.8%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $73,172); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $72,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 3.65% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.21 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 54,008 |
| International students | 10.6% | 15.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $64,796 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | - | $85 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.65%.
Do Duke or Harvard graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $98K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $64,796 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Harvard?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $74,387 at Harvard.
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