Babson vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Duke University 5:1.

Babson vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson 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 Duke University than Babson ($21,981 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 15.9% lower than at Babson College ($18,128 vs. $21,550).
• Duke University is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $11,606 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Duke than at Babson College (about $11,606 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duke University than at Babson College (43% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 36% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($65,522 vs. $48,173).

Babson vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson 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 Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 80 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Duke students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Babson vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson 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 Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Babson graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $108,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $191 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($77 vs. $268).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Babson students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.