Duke vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Duke vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr ($21,981 vs. $33,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 6.6% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($18,128 vs. $19,400).
• Duke University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $2,838 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Duke than at Bryn Mawr College (about $2,838 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at Duke University (72% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 31% larger than aid received by Bryn Mawr College students ($65,522 vs. $50,029).

Duke vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 140 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Duke students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Duke vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $47,400 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $191 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($77 vs. $268).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.