Georgia vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

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

University of Georgia is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (43,146 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA (Midsize City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Georgia 17:1; Duke University 5:1.

Georgia vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia 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 University of Georgia than Duke ($16,662 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 35.6% lower than at Duke University ($11,672 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 500.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $57,308 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117% higher at Duke than at University of Georgia (about $37,070 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $31,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Georgia than at Duke University (89% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 461.3% larger than aid received by University of Georgia students ($65,522 vs. $11,674).

Georgia vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia 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 Georgia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 160 points higher than at Georgia (1380).
• Incoming Duke students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Georgia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 1270/1480; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 29/34; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia - Required; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Duke (3.94).
• Georgia has a higher acceptance rate (37.7%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.3% at Georgia vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Georgia vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia 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 Georgia's (82%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $52,500 more per year than Georgia graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $11,646 lower median loan debt than Georgia graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,146).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia graduates ($77 vs. $197).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 67%)

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.