Washington College vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Duke University 5:1.

Washington College vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington College 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 Washington College ($21,981 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 0.7% lower than at Washington College ($18,128 vs. $18,250).
• Duke University is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $13,432 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.3% higher at Duke than at Washington College (about $13,432 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Duke University (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 50.7% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($65,522 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington College 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 Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 270 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Duke students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Washington College vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington College 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 Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $58,100 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $16,750 lower median loan debt than Washington College graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $173 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington College graduates ($77 vs. $250).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 85%)

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.