Duke vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 13,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Duke vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($21,981 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 17.8% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($18,128 vs. $22,054).
• Duke University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanderbilt (about $1,260 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Duke than at Vanderbilt University (about $1,260 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Duke University (67% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Vanderbilt University students ($65,522 vs. $64,404).

Duke vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is the same as at Vanderbilt (1540).
• Incoming Duke students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Vanderbilt has a higher acceptance rate (5.9%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Duke vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Vanderbilt graduates ($7,500 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanderbilt graduates ($77 vs. $144).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt 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.