USC vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Duke University 5:1.

USC vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC 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 USC ($21,981 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 9% lower than at University of Southern California ($18,128 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Duke (about $3,339 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at USC than at Duke University (about $3,339 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Duke University (70% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 39.7% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($65,522 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC 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 USC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 40 points higher than at USC (1500).
• Incoming Duke students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at USC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at USC (3.83).
• USC has a higher acceptance rate (9.8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 58.8% at Duke.

USC vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC 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 Southern California's (90%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than USC graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $85,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $14,875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($7,500 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $154 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($77 vs. $231).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.