UChicago vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UChicago vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($21,981 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 9.9% lower than at University of Chicago ($18,128 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Duke (about $1,904 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at UChicago than at Duke University (about $1,904 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Chicago than at Duke University (47% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($65,522 vs. $62,300).

UChicago vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 10 points higher than at Duke (1540).
• Incoming UChicago 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: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Duke (3.94).
• Duke has a higher acceptance rate (5.7%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 58.8% at Duke.

UChicago vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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 University of Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than UChicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $98,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than UChicago graduates ($7,500 vs. $14,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UChicago graduates ($77 vs. $149).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.