Northwestern vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Duke University 5:1.

Northwestern vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern ($21,981 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 14.2% lower than at Northwestern University ($18,128 vs. $21,126).
• Duke University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern (about $436 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Duke than at Northwestern University (about $436 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Duke University (53% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern University students ($65,522 vs. $64,429).

Northwestern vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is the same as at Duke (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Duke (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Northwestern (3.92).
• Northwestern has a higher acceptance rate (7.7%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Northwestern vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• The graduation rate at Northwestern is the same as at Duke University (94% vs. 94%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $11,878 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($77 vs. $200).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.