DURHAM, NC

MEDFORD, MA

COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Duke vs Tufts — US university comparison

DUKE

Durham, NC

World rank · ARWU#39

Acceptance5.7%

Median SAT1548

Graduation rate96.8%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$98K

TUFTS

Medford, MA

World rank · ARWU#151-200

Acceptance11.5%

Median SAT1513

Graduation rate93.5%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$83K

🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Duke University Tufts University

#39 World rank · ARWU #151-200

#27 Rank · THE #179

5.7% Acceptance rate 11.5%

1548 Median SAT 1513

96.8% Graduation rate 93.5%

17,499 Enrollment 13,599

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

5.7% Acceptance rate 11.5%

58.8% Yield rate 45.5%

1548 Median SAT 1513

— Avg. GPA —

51,795 Number of applications 34,432

22% Int'l students 17%

At a glance

Duke leads in 9 of 11 measured metrics

Acceptance5.7% vs 11.5%

Yield58.8% vs 45.5%

Debt$13,000 vs $16,250

EXPERT TAKE

Duke is the more selective of the two (5.7% vs 11.5% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #151-200). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $83K). Duke has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,758 vs $70,704 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 Tufts for: lower graduate debt.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Duke is more selective (5.7% vs 11.5% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1513).

Graduate outcomes

Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $83K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 93.5%).

Cost and aid

Duke has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,758 vs $70,704); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $59,574).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

Each dot is a comparable US university; Duke and Tufts highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric	Duke	Tufts
World rank · ARWU	#39	#151-200
Rank · THE	#27	#179
Acceptance rate	5.7%	11.5%
Yield rate	58.8%	45.5%
Median SAT	1548	1513
Avg. GPA	—	—
Number of applications	51,795	34,432
International students	22%	17%
Median earnings · 10 yrs	$98K	$83K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs	$115K	$103K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs	$172K	$132K
Graduation rate	96.8%	93.5%
Retention rate	98%	95.5%
Median debt	$13,000	$16,250
Tuition · year	$68,758	$70,704
Avg. aid package	$72,437	$59,574
% of need met	100%	100%
Avg. graduate debt	$27,515	$25,584
Application fee	—	—
Enrollment	17,499	13,599

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Duke or Tufts?

It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.7% of applicants, while Tufts accepts 11.5%.

Do Duke or Tufts graduates earn more?

Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $83K.

How much is tuition at Duke vs Tufts?

Sticker-price tuition is $68,758 per year at Duke and $70,704 per year at Tufts.

What SAT score do you need for Duke or Tufts?

The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1513 at Tufts; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Duke or Tufts?

Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #151-200 for Tufts.

Which university offers more financial aid — Duke or Tufts?

The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $59,574 at Tufts.

Compare Duke with

Harvard

Stanford

Massachusetts institute of technology

Washington university

Northwestern

Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).

All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.