Duke vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 17,499 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Duke vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than Duke ($21,648 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 26.3% lower than at Duke University ($13,356 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 397.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $54,946 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.8% higher at Duke than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $35,502 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Duke University (94% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 473% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($65,522 vs. $11,434).

Duke vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or Tennessee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tennessee and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 250 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Duke students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duke University 1500/1570; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duke University 34/35; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Duke students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Duke vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Tennessee? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $52,600 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($77 vs. $206).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.