Duke vs Johns hopkins — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Duke is the more selective of the two (5.7% vs 6.4% acceptance). Johns hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #17). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $88K). Johns hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,230 vs $68,758 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Johns hopkins for: a higher world ranking, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.7% vs 6.4% acceptance); Johns hopkins has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1548).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $88K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 93.8%).
Johns hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,230 vs $68,758); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Johns hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #17 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | #16 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.7% | 6.4% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 47% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 45,895 |
| International students | 22% | 32% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $88K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $115K | $89K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 93.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $10,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,758 | $65,230 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $67,159 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $30,803 |
| Application fee | — | $70 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 30,210 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Johns hopkins?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.7% of applicants, while Johns hopkins accepts 6.4%.
Do Duke or Johns hopkins graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $88K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Johns hopkins?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,758 per year at Duke and $65,230 per year at Johns hopkins.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Johns hopkins?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1553 at Johns hopkins; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Duke or Johns hopkins?
Johns hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #17 for Johns hopkins.
Which university offers more financial aid — Duke or Johns hopkins?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $67,159 at Johns hopkins.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina