Duke vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Duke vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or F&M? 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 F&M ($21,981 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 10.7% lower than at Duke University ($16,188 vs. $18,128).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Duke (about $2,036 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at F&M than at Duke University (about $2,036 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Duke University (80% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 56.4% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($65,522 vs. $41,901).

Duke vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or F&M? 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 F&M and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 150 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming Duke students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• F&M has a higher acceptance rate (28.2%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Duke vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $47,000 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($7,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($77 vs. $227).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M 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.