Duke vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

Duke vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or UNCSA? 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 University of North Carolina School of the Arts than Duke ($13,140 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 25.4% lower than at Duke University ($13,517 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 625.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $59,281 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.7% higher at Duke than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $41,547 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at Duke University (62% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 408.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($65,522 vs. $12,876).

Duke vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 280 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming Duke students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• UNCSA has a higher acceptance rate (30%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

Duke vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and UNCSA? 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 North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $69,800 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($77 vs. $279).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 56%)

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.