Tulane vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Tulane based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 13,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1; Duke University 5:1.

Tulane vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulane 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 Tulane ($21,981 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 3.9% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($18,128 vs. $18,868).
• Duke University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tulane (about $80 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,678.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Duke than at Tulane University of Louisiana (about $80 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,678.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tulane University of Louisiana than at Duke University (60% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 65.2% larger than aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students ($65,522 vs. $39,654).

Tulane vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tulane 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 Tulane.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 80 points higher than at Tulane (1460).
• Incoming Duke students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Tulane).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tulane - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• Tulane has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.3% at Tulane vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Tulane vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tulane 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).

• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $34,700 more per year than Tulane graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $20,029 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $207 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($77 vs. $284).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 62%)

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.