Princeton vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Princeton vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Duke ($15,313 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 10.5% lower than at Princeton University ($18,128 vs. $20,250).
• Duke University is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $6,070 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Duke than at Princeton University (about $6,070 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Duke University (67% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Duke University students ($68,727 vs. $65,522).

Princeton vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Duke (1540).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• Duke has a higher acceptance rate (5.7%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Princeton vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Duke University's (94%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Duke graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $108,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University and Princeton graduates have the same median loan debt ($7,500 vs. $7,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Duke University and Princeton graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($77 vs. $77).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.