Duke vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Duke ($90,599 on average), while Massachusetts Institute of Technology stops at $77,266.
You do not have to choose between price and outcome here: Massachusetts Institute of Technology costs $64,730 against $73,172, and its graduates earn $143K against $98K (Duke).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (4.5% and 5.7%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1548 and 1550.
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two (4.55% vs 5.71% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $98K). Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 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 graduation rate, a larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 5.71% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1548).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $98K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 96.4%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $68,358).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 28,232 |
| International students | 10.6% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 99% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Duke or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $98K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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