Duke vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Duke vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Penn? 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 Penn ($21,981 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 5.5% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,128 vs. $19,174).
• Duke University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $72 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Duke than at University of Pennsylvania (about $72 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Duke University (51% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by University of Pennsylvania students ($65,522 vs. $65,458).

Duke vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is the same as at Penn (1540).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Duke).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Duke (3.94).
• Duke has a higher acceptance rate (5.7%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 68% at Penn.

Duke vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Duke University's (94%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than Duke graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $108,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $13,133 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($77 vs. $213).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.