Duke vs Kansas - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Duke admits 5.7% of applications, Kansas admits 93.5%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.6% (Duke) against 3.1% (Kansas).
Average aid for an international student is $90,599 (Duke) and $11,164 (Kansas).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Duke starts at $92,955 against $47,138 and ends at $20,518 against $27,438 (Kansas).
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 93.48% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #301-400). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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 Kansas 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 93.48% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1190).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $62K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 22,363 |
| International students | 10.6% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 86% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | - | $40 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Duke or Kansas graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Kansas?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #301-400 for Kansas.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Kansas?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $19,700 at Kansas.
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