Duke vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Duke vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than Duke ($13,767 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 31.9% lower than at Duke University ($12,354 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 1,385.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $64,128 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 696.7% higher at Duke than at Western Carolina University (about $60,128 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at Duke University (81% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 993.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($65,522 vs. $5,993).

Duke vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 360 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Duke students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Duke vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $69,800 more per year than WCU 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 $14,510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($7,500 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($77 vs. $227).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 58%)

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.