Duke vs Wyoming - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Wyoming accepts most of the applications it receives (96.9%), while Duke turns away the overwhelming majority (5.7%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.6% (Duke) against 1.8% (Wyoming).
Average aid for an international student is $90,599 (Duke) and $10,769 (Wyoming).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Duke lists $92,955 against $43,975 (Wyoming), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $31,846.
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 96.9% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #701-800). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $57K). Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 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 Wyoming 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 96.9% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1140).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $57K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 58.8%).
Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $12,129).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #701-800 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 96.9% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 23.8% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1140 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.55 |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 6,217 |
| International students | 10.6% | 1.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $57K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $81K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 58.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 79% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $25,015 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $12,129 |
| % of need met | 100% | 57.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $24,921 |
| Application fee | - | $40 |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 10,813 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Wyoming?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Wyoming accepts 96.9%.
Do Duke or Wyoming graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Wyoming?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $25,015 per year at Wyoming.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Wyoming?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1140 at Wyoming; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Wyoming?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #701-800 for Wyoming.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Wyoming?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $12,129 at Wyoming.
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