WUSTL vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Duke University 5:1.

WUSTL vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL 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 WUSTL ($21,981 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 17% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($18,128 vs. $21,854).
• Duke University is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $2,968 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Duke than at Washington University in St Louis (about $2,968 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington University in St Louis than at Duke University (49% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Duke University students ($66,080 vs. $65,522).

WUSTL vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL 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 WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is the same as at Duke (1540).
• Incoming WUSTL 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: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at WUSTL (3.92).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 58.8% at Duke.

WUSTL vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL 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 University in St Louis's (93%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $12,400 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $128 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($77 vs. $205).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WUSTL students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.