Duke vs Iowa State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Iowa State accepts most of the applications it receives (88.7%), while Duke turns away the overwhelming majority (5.7%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.6% (Duke) against 3.7% (Iowa State).
Real money goes to international students at Duke ($90,599 on average), while Iowa State stops at $12,582.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Duke lists $92,955 against $42,789 (Iowa State), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $27,124.
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 88.66% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #501-600). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State 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 88.66% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1250).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $63K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 88.66% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.75 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 23,095 |
| International students | 10.6% | 3.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $63K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | - | $40 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Iowa State?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Iowa State accepts 88.66%.
Do Duke or Iowa State graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Iowa State?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $28,881 per year at Iowa State.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Iowa State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1250 at Iowa State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Iowa State?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #501-600 for Iowa State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Iowa State?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $15,665 at Iowa State.
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