Duke vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Duke vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Ursinus College? 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 Ursinus College ($21,981 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 6.1% lower than at Duke University ($17,028 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $7,548 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at Duke than at Ursinus College (about $7,548 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Duke University (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 46.4% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($65,522 vs. $44,754).

Duke vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 250 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming Duke students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Duke vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Ursinus College? 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $50,900 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($77 vs. $279).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ursinus College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.