Columbia vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Duke University 5:1.

Columbia vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia ($21,981 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 3% lower than at Duke University ($17,580 vs. $18,128).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Duke (about $3,087 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Columbia than at Duke University (about $3,087 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Duke University (52% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Duke University students ($67,010 vs. $65,522).

Columbia vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 10 points higher than at Duke (1540).
• Incoming Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Duke (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• Duke has a higher acceptance rate (5.7%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Columbia vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $107,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($77 vs. $222).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.