Duke vs Rhode Island - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rhode Island accepts most of the applications it receives (72.2%), while Duke turns away the overwhelming majority (5.7%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.6% (Duke) against 1.2% (Rhode Island).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Duke awards international students $90,599 on average, Rhode Island awards $26,565.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Duke lists $92,955 against $54,758 (Rhode Island), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $37,163.
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 72.2% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #801-900). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 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 Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 72.2% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1160).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $70K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 72.2% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 16.4% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1160 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.65 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 28,021 |
| International students | 10.6% | 1.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 73.3% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 85% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $38,398 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $17,595 |
| % of need met | 100% | 57% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $42,945 |
| Application fee | - | $65 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 14,466 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Rhode Island?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.
Do Duke or Rhode Island graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Rhode Island?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Rhode Island?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Rhode Island?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Rhode Island?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $17,595 at Rhode Island.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern