Duke vs. UNCG

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Greensboro is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (18,012 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina at Greensboro is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 18:1.

Duke vs. UNCG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or UNCG? 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 at Greensboro than Duke ($11,404 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 41% lower than at Duke University ($10,688 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 797.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $61,097 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.3% higher at Duke than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $44,746 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at Duke University (87% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 564.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($65,522 vs. $9,863).

Duke vs. UNCG Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 290 points higher than at UNCG (1250).
• Incoming Duke students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; UNCG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 21.2% at UNCG.

Duke vs. UNCG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and UNCG? 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 at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $69,800 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $15,237 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($7,500 vs. $22,737).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $158 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($77 vs. $235).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 56%)

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.