Head-to-Head Comparison
Duke University vs Johns Hopkins University
- Duke Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 16
- Johns Hopkins Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Johns Hopkins University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Duke University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 94%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,612 compared to Johns Hopkins University's $18,809 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Johns Hopkins University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Duke
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, 12% more than Johns Hopkins University
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
Johns Hopkins
- Lower cost: Average net price of $18,809, roughly $10,803 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #13
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Duke graduates concentrate in Engineering (15% of degrees); Johns Hopkins in Biology & Biomedical (23%). 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 Duke University over Johns Hopkins University. Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment vs $87,555.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over Duke University. Net price $18,809 vs $29,612.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over Duke University. THE World Rank #13 vs #24.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over Duke University. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Duke University and Johns Hopkins University 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 Johns Hopkins University takes 6%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,548 to 1,553.
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, Johns Hopkins University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $18,809, about $10,803 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Johns Hopkins University also borrow less: median debt of $10,250, against $13,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $43,212 before any change in aid. Choosing Johns Hopkins University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Duke University graduates report median earnings of $97,800, compared with $87,555 at Johns Hopkins University. That is a 12% advantage. Set against borrowing, Johns Hopkins University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.13x.
So what: An earnings gap of 12% 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.
Moving people up
Johns Hopkins University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Duke University, it is 1.6%. Johns Hopkins University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Johns Hopkins University 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, Johns Hopkins University sits higher, at #13 versus #24.
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 Johns Hopkins University to keep costs and debt down; pick Duke University for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Johns Hopkins University saves about $10,803 a year, yet Duke University graduates earn $10,245 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Duke University is harder to get into, with a 6% admit rate, but Johns Hopkins University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Johns Hopkins University ranks higher globally (#13 vs #24), but Duke University alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Duke University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while Johns Hopkins University leans toward Computer Science & IT. 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 Johns Hopkins University's $18,809.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $13,000, against $10,250 at Johns Hopkins University.
No strong negative signals — Johns Hopkins competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Duke holds onto its admits more tightly: 59% of admitted students enroll, versus 45% at Johns Hopkins — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Duke (17.3% Early Decision admit rate vs 10.9%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
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.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is tailored for driven students who are ready to engage deeply in their education. The standout programs here include Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and IT, Social Sciences, and Health Professions, making it a solid choice for those interested in health, technology, and scientific research. The school's tight-knit community of about 5,700 students fosters collaboration and a culture of inquiry, appealing to individuals who thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment.
After graduation, alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $87,555 ten years post-degree. This figure reflects the value of a degree from Johns Hopkins in the job market, particularly in fields like engineering and health professions. While 19% of students receive Pell Grants, this indicates that the university is accessible to a range of economic backgrounds, allowing for a diverse student body to grow and succeed.
Looking at the financials, the net price after aid comes to about $18,809, which is quite manageable given the high graduation rate of 94%. With a median debt of $10,250, graduates leave with a reasonable financial burden, setting them up for success. Students who make the most of their time here are often those who are proactive, curious, and willing to seek out opportunities in research and internships, setting themselves up for fruitful careers ahead.
Rankings They Appear On
Duke University is featured on the Best Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Duke's top program is Mechanical Engineering (15% of enrollment), while Johns Hopkins leads with Biology (23%).
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 Johns Hopkins).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Duke University or Johns Hopkins University?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 6% at Johns Hopkins University.
Which is more affordable, Duke University or Johns Hopkins University?
Johns Hopkins University is more affordable, with an average net price of $18,809 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do Duke University or Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, versus $87,555 at Johns Hopkins University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Duke University or Johns Hopkins University?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 94%.
Duke University vs Johns Hopkins University: which is better for social mobility?
Johns Hopkins University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Duke University or Johns Hopkins University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Johns Hopkins University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Duke University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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