Iowa State vs Duke - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Iowa State accepts most of the applications it receives (88.7%), while Duke turns away the overwhelming majority (5.7%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.6% (Duke) against 3.7% (Iowa State).
Real money goes to international students at Duke ($90,599 on average), while Iowa State stops at $12,582.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Duke lists $92,955 against $42,789 (Iowa State), but after average aid what remains is $20,518 against $27,124.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 88.66% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #39). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State for: lower tuition.
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 88.66% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1250).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $63K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #39 |
| Rank · THE | - | #27 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 5.71% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 58.8% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1548 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | - |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 51,795 |
| International students | 3.7% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $98K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $172K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 96.8% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 98% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $13,000 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $73,172 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $72,437 |
| % of need met | 78% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $27,515 |
| Application fee | $40 | - |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 17,499 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Duke?
It's harder to get into Duke. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Duke accepts 5.71%.
Do Iowa State or Duke graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Duke?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $73,172 per year at Duke.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Duke?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1548 at Duke; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Duke?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #39 for Duke.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Duke?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $72,437 at Duke.
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