Duke vs Northwestern - 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 Northwestern stops at $74,103.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Duke: $98K against $89K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.7% and 7.7%), 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 1540.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 7.69% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #33). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $89K). Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 7.69% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1540).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $89K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 95.1%).
Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $68,110).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 49,474 |
| International students | 10.6% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Duke or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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