U of R vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 11,946 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; Duke University 5:1.

U of R vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 U of R ($21,981 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 8.4% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,128 vs. $19,792).
• Duke University is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $1,678 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Duke than at University of Rochester (about $1,678 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Duke University (72% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 44% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($65,522 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 60 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Duke students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Rochester 31/34; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Duke students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 58.8% at Duke.

U of R vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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.

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $37,900 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $17,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $176 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($77 vs. $253).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.