Duke vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $90,599 (Duke) and $24,539 (Northeastern).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Duke starts at $92,955 against $92,337 and ends at $20,518 against $45,782 (Northeastern).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.2% and 5.7%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Duke: 1548 against 1490, a gap of 58 points.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 5.71% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #201-300). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $93K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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 graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 5.71% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1490).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $93K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 98,425 |
| International students | 10.6% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 100% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Duke or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $93K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Northeastern?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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