Duke vs Temple - 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, Temple admits 80.5%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Duke: 10.6% of students against 4.4% (Temple).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Duke awards international students $90,599 on average, Temple awards $16,607.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Duke starts at $92,955 against $58,550 and ends at $20,518 against $40,717 (Temple).
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 80.45% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #401-500). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $64K). Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 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 Temple 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 80.45% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1250).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $64K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 75%).
Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 80.45% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 15% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.42 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 40,817 |
| International students | 10.6% | 4.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $64K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $41K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $92K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 75% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 83% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $24,395 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $40,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $17,833 |
| % of need met | 100% | 60.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $41,808 |
| Application fee | - | $55 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 29,637 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Temple?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Temple accepts 80.45%.
Do Duke or Temple graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Temple?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $40,144 per year at Temple.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Temple?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1250 at Temple; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Temple?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #401-500 for Temple.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Temple?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $17,833 at Temple.
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