Duke vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Duke vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington than Duke ($21,800 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 21.4% lower than at Duke University ($14,250 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 369.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $54,118 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.5% higher at Duke than at University of Mary Washington (about $41,198 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Duke University (99% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 524.6% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($65,522 vs. $10,491).

Duke vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 270 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Duke students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Duke vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $53,400 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($77 vs. $222).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.