Virginia vs Duke — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Duke is the more selective of the two (5.7% vs 16.8% 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 $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $68,758 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 Virginia 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 (5.7% vs 16.8% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1480).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $87K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 95.6%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $68,758); Duke offers a larger average aid package ($72,437 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Virginia | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #39 |
| Rank · THE | — | #27 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.8% | 5.7% |
| Yield rate | 40% | 58.8% |
| Median SAT | 1480 | 1548 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 58,951 | 51,795 |
| International students | 12% | 22% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $87K | $98K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $115K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $130K | $172K |
| Graduation rate | 95.6% | 96.8% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% | 98% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $13,000 |
| Tuition · year | $59,512 | $68,758 |
| Avg. aid package | $37,123 | $72,437 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,137 | $27,515 |
| Application fee | $75 | — |
| Enrollment | 26,470 | 17,499 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Virginia or Duke?
It's harder to get into Duke. Virginia accepts 16.8% of applicants, while Duke accepts 5.7%.
Do Virginia or Duke graduates earn more?
Duke graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $98K vs $87K.
How much is tuition at Virginia vs Duke?
Sticker-price tuition is $59,512 per year at Virginia and $68,758 per year at Duke.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia or Duke?
The median admitted SAT score is 1480 at Virginia and 1548 at Duke; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Virginia or Duke?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Virginia vs #39 for Duke.
Which university offers more financial aid — Virginia or Duke?
The average aid package is $37,123 at Virginia and $72,437 at Duke.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern