Duke vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Duke vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Duke ($15,522 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 20.9% lower than at Duke University ($14,332 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 681.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $59,959 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.3% higher at Duke than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $35,911 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at Duke University (51% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 461.2% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($65,522 vs. $11,675).

Duke vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 150 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Duke students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Duke vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $51,700 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $13,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($77 vs. $214).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State 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.