Duke vs Texas at Austin - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Duke admits 5.7%, Texas at Austin admits 26.6%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Duke: 10.6% of students against 4.5% (Texas at Austin).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Duke awards international students $90,599 on average, Texas at Austin awards $21,838.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Duke lists $92,955 against $60,460 (Texas at Austin), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $40,241.
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 26.64% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #45). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 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 Texas at Austin for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 26.64% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1395).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $75K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 88.9%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 72,885 |
| International students | 10.6% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 100% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Duke or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Texas at Austin?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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