Georgetown vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgetown University in Washington, DC with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgetown University is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (20,031 students vs. 17,499 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgetown University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Georgetown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgetown University 11:1; Duke University 5:1.

Georgetown vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgetown or Duke? 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 Georgetown ($21,981 vs. $39,083).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 12% lower than at Georgetown University ($18,128 vs. $20,596).
• Duke University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgetown (about $741 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Duke than at Georgetown University (about $741 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duke University than at Georgetown University (43% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Georgetown University students ($65,522 vs. $49,658).

Georgetown vs. Duke Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Georgetown (1470).
• Incoming Duke students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Georgetown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Georgetown University 1390/1550; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Georgetown University 31/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgetown - Required; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Duke students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Georgetown (3.89).
• Georgetown has a higher acceptance rate (12.9%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at Georgetown vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Georgetown vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgetown and Duke? 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.

• The graduation rate at Georgetown is the same as at Duke University (94% vs. 94%).
• Graduates from Georgetown University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Duke graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,900 vs. $108,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Georgetown graduates ($7,500 vs. $15,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgetown graduates ($77 vs. $160).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgetown students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.