Yale vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Yale based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 15,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Duke University 5:1.

Yale vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale ($21,981 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 8.9% lower than at Yale University ($18,128 vs. $19,900).
• Duke University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $1,508 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Duke than at Yale University (about $1,508 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Duke University (56% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 0.6% larger than aid received by Duke University students ($65,892 vs. $65,522).

Yale vs. Duke Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Duke (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Duke (3.94).
• Duke has a higher acceptance rate (5.7%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Yale vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale and Duke? 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Duke University's (94%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Duke graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $108,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Yale graduates ($7,500 vs. $13,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Yale graduates ($77 vs. $139).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.