Duke vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Duke vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Duke ($18,427 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 18.4% lower than at Duke University ($14,800 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 215.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $46,955 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Duke than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $9,246 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duke University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (43% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 128.2% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($65,522 vs. $28,715).

Duke vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 60 points higher than at UVA (1480).
• Incoming Duke students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at UVA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 40% at UVA.

Duke vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and UVA? 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).

• The graduation rate at Duke is the same as at University of Virginia Main Campus (94% vs. 94%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $31,700 more per year than UVA graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($77 vs. $201).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.