Duke vs. University of North Carolina Asheville

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Duke vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 North Carolina Asheville than Duke ($13,798 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 22.8% lower than at Duke University ($13,992 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 816.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $61,257 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 176.7% higher at Duke than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $43,909 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Duke University (90% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 752.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($65,522 vs. $7,683).

Duke vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 University of North Carolina Asheville and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 270 points higher than at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270).
• Incoming Duke students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at University of North Carolina Asheville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville.

Duke vs. University of North Carolina Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and University of North Carolina Asheville? 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 North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $71,000 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $13,141 lower median loan debt than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,641).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($77 vs. $213).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 61%)

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.