Southern California vs Duke - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $90,599 (Duke) and $25,384 (Southern California).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.7% and 9.8%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
53 points separate the SAT profiles: 1548 (Duke) against 1495.
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Duke: 58.8% of them enrol, against 43.3%.
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 9.81% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #39). Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $92K). Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 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 Southern California 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 9.81% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1495).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $92K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 91.8%).
Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $73,172); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $71,169).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern California | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #39 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | #27 |
| Acceptance rate | 9.81% | 5.71% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 58.8% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1548 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | - |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 51,795 |
| International students | 13.2% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $98K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $172K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 96.8% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 98% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $13,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,687 | $73,172 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $72,437 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $27,515 |
| Application fee | $85 | - |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 17,499 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern California or Duke?
It's harder to get into Duke. Southern California accepts 9.81% of applicants, while Duke accepts 5.71%.
Do Southern California or Duke graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $92K.
How much is tuition at Southern California vs Duke?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,687 per year at Southern California and $73,172 per year at Duke.
What SAT score do you need for Southern California or Duke?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern California and 1548 at Duke; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Southern California or Duke?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern California vs #39 for Duke.
Which university offers more financial aid - Southern California or Duke?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern California and $72,437 at Duke.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern