Head-to-Head Comparison
Duke University vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Duke Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 14
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Duke University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,612 compared to Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's $12,116 for in-state paths. Students who choose Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $102,772 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Duke
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #24
Georgia Technology-Main
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Duke University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $17,496 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Duke graduates concentrate in Engineering (15% of degrees); Georgia Technology-Main in Engineering (42%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Duke University. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $97,800.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Duke University. Net price $12,116 vs $29,612.
Pick Duke University over Georgia Institute of Technology. THE World Rank #24 vs #27.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Duke University. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Duke University over Georgia Institute of Technology. 96% completion rate vs 93%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Duke University and Georgia Institute of Technology split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Duke University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while Georgia Institute of Technology takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,548 to 1,480.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Duke University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Georgia Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,116, about $17,496 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Duke University also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $69,984 before any change in aid. Choosing Georgia Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $102,772, compared with $97,800 at Duke University. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Duke University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Duke University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 93%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Georgia Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Duke University, it is 1.6%. Georgia Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Georgia Institute of Technology offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Duke University sits higher, at #24 versus #27.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Georgia Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Duke University is harder to get into, with a 6% admit rate, but Georgia Institute of Technology posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Duke University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while Georgia Institute of Technology leans toward Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,612 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Duke University's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,672, against $13,000 at Duke University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgia Institute of Technology's enrollment of 18,785 far exceeds Duke University's 6,442.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Duke holds onto its admits more tightly: 59% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Georgia Technology-Main — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Duke offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgia Technology-Main does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Duke, where only about 78% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Duke University is a place where ambitious students thrive. It attracts those who are serious about their education and want to dive deep into areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The community here is vibrant, and students often find themselves surrounded by peers who share a passion for learning and a drive to make an impact.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Duke can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $97,800 a decade after they leave. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable nature of the education relative to earnings. Graduates tend to find good job opportunities, reflecting the high graduation rate of 96%. This means that most students not only complete their degrees but also enter the workforce prepared and competitive.
On the financial side, the net price for students, after aid, stands at $29,612, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The typical debt load is $13,000, which is relatively low and suggests that many students can graduate without being weighed down by heavy financial burdens. This creates an environment where motivated individuals can thrive, especially those who are eager to leverage their education into successful careers.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA · Public
Georgia Institute of Technology has an impressive graduation rate of 93%, showcasing its commitment to student success. This high rate indicates that most students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, a critical factor for anyone considering their future at this institution.
Graduates from Georgia Tech see significant financial returns, earning a median salary of $102,772 a decade after finishing their degrees. This strong earning potential underscores the effectiveness of the education provided, particularly in high-demand fields like engineering and computer science. The school plays an important role in enhancing economic mobility, although specific rates for low-income students are not available.
With a net price of $12,116 and a median debt of $21,672, Georgia Tech presents a financially manageable option for many students. Those who thrive here are typically driven, with a focus on STEM fields, and come from diverse backgrounds. The competitive acceptance rate of 14% reflects the school's selectivity, attracting students who are ready to engage in rigorous academic challenges.
Rankings They Appear On
Duke University is featured on the Best Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 15% of Duke's student body and 42% of Georgia Technology-Main's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Duke) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Georgia Technology-Main).
The two schools feed different job markets. Duke University is strongest in Social Sciences, while Georgia Institute of Technology concentrates in Business & Marketing. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Duke University or Georgia Institute of Technology?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 14% at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Duke University or Georgia Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do Duke University or Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,800 at Duke University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Duke University or Georgia Institute of Technology?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Duke University vs Georgia Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
Georgia Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Duke University or Georgia Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Duke University if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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