Houston vs Duke - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Duke turns away the overwhelming majority (5.7%).
Real money goes to international students at Duke ($90,599 on average), while Houston stops at $4,456.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Duke lists $92,955 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $29,520.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Duke: $98K against $62K.
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 73.92% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #39). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Duke for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 73.92% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1240).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $62K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #39 |
| Rank · THE | - | #27 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 5.71% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 58.8% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1548 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | - |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 51,795 |
| International students | 5.7% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $98K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $172K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 96.8% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 98% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $13,000 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $73,172 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $72,437 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $27,515 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 17,499 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Duke?
It's harder to get into Duke. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Duke accepts 5.71%.
Do Houston or Duke graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Duke?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $73,172 per year at Duke.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Duke?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1548 at Duke; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Duke?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #39 for Duke.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Duke?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $72,437 at Duke.
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