Duke vs Texas Rio Grande Valley - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts most of the applications it receives (94.2%), while Duke turns away the overwhelming majority (5.7%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Duke: 10.6% of students against 1.7% (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Duke awards international students $90,599 on average, Texas Rio Grande Valley awards $6,258.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Duke lists $92,955 against $37,183 (Texas Rio Grande Valley), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $25,941.
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 94.2% 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 $50K). Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 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 Rio Grande Valley 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 94.2% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 985).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $50K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 50.9%).
Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 94.2% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 55.4% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 985 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 12,137 |
| International students | 10.6% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $50K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $29K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $67K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 50.9% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 78.9% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $12,950 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $22,287 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $11,242 |
| % of need met | 100% | 72% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $14,589 |
| Application fee | - | - |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 31,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2%.
Do Duke or Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
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