Duke vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Denison University 9:1.

Duke vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Denison? 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 Denison ($21,981 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 9.5% lower than at Duke University ($16,400 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $1,758 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Duke than at Denison University (about $1,758 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Duke University (94% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 71.6% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($65,522 vs. $38,179).

Duke vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 130 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Duke students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Duke vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Denison? 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $52,800 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $191 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($77 vs. $268).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.