ASU vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Duke University 5:1.

ASU vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Duke? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Duke ($14,978 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 29% lower than at Duke University ($12,868 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 807.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $61,179 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.7% higher at Duke than at Appalachian State University (about $43,546 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Appalachian State University than at Duke University (46% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 717.6% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($65,522 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Duke? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Duke and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 340 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Duke students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Duke (3.94).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 58.8% at Duke.

ASU vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Duke? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $67,300 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($77 vs. $211).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.