George Washington vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Duke University 5:1.

George Washington vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($21,981 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 6.7% lower than at Duke University ($16,920 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $1,048 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Duke than at George Washington University (about $1,048 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Duke University (78% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 74.7% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($65,522 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 110 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Duke students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 58.8% at Duke.

George Washington vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $28,400 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $17,462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($77 vs. $258).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

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.