Duke vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Duke vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($21,981 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 0.2% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($18,128 vs. $18,166).
• Duke University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $2,512 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Duke than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $2,512 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Duke University (51% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 36.2% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($65,522 vs. $48,107).

Duke vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is the same as at Carnegie Mellon (1540).
• Incoming Duke students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Carnegie Mellon (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Duke vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Carnegie Mellon graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $102,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $18,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $194 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($77 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Duke students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.