Emory vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Emory based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 15,175 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Duke University 5:1.

Emory vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory or Duke? 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 Emory ($21,981 vs. $27,303).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 10.3% lower than at Emory University ($18,128 vs. $20,220).
• Duke University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emory (about $4,478 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Duke than at Emory University (about $4,478 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emory University than at Duke University (47% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Emory University students ($65,522 vs. $56,319).

Emory vs. Duke Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Emory (1510).
• Incoming Duke students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Emory).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 1470/1550; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Emory (3.8).
• Emory has a higher acceptance rate (10.6%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Emory vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory and Duke? 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 Emory University's (90%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than Emory graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $81,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $9,733 lower median loan debt than Emory graduates ($7,500 vs. $17,233).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emory graduates ($77 vs. $178).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.