Duke vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Duke vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($21,981 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 8.7% lower than at Duke University ($16,550 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 331.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $52,810 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.1% higher at Duke than at Virginia Tech (about $30,994 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at Duke University (60% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 614.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($65,522 vs. $9,168).

Duke vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 170 points higher than at Virginia Tech (1370).
• Incoming Duke students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Virginia Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Virginia Tech - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Duke (3.94).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Duke vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech's (82%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $43,900 more per year than Virginia Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $65,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $16,466 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $170 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($77 vs. $247).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Tech students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.