MIT vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Duke University 5:1.

MIT vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Duke ($20,996 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 10.6% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($18,128 vs. $20,280).
• Duke University is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $6,362 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Duke than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $6,362 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Duke University (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($65,522 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT 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 MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 10 points higher than at Duke (1540).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Duke).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Duke - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Duke (3.94).
• Duke has a higher acceptance rate (5.7%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 58.8% at Duke.

MIT vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (93%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $33,200 more per year than Duke graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $108,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $9,816 lower median loan debt than MIT graduates ($7,500 vs. $17,316).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIT graduates ($77 vs. $179).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Duke students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.