Duke vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

Duke vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or PHC? 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 PHC ($21,981 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 39.2% lower than at Duke University ($11,020 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 141.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $40,333 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.9% higher at Duke than at Patrick Henry College (about $40,333 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at Duke University (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 391% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($65,522 vs. $13,345).

Duke vs. PHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or PHC? 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 PHC and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 210 points higher than at PHC (1330).
• Incoming Duke students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at PHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at PHC (3.83).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 47.6% at PHC.

Duke vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and PHC? 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).

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.