Skip to content
CollegeRanker

Compare

Duke University vs Purdue University-Main Campus

46 data points compared. Stronger value in each row highlighted. Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS.

25
Duke Wins
12
Tied / N/A
9
Purdue Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Public
Urban
Setting
Urban
Southeast
Region
Great Lakes
6,442
Enrollment
44,503
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

6%
Acceptance Rate
50%
1548
SAT Average
1364
34
ACT Midpoint
30
1500-1570
SAT Range
1200-1480

Cost & Financial Aid

$68,758
In-State Tuition
$9,992
$68,758
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,794
$29,612
Average Net Price
$14,600
$735
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$5,098
$-361
Net Price ($30-48K)
$6,241
$5,706
Net Price ($48-75K)
$9,438
$54,230
Net Price ($110K+)
$22,742
14%
Pell Grant Rate
13%
14%
Federal Loan Rate
22%

Academics

96%
Graduation Rate
83%
98%
Retention Rate
93%
94%
Full-Time Faculty
96%
$19,001
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$14,473
13%
First-Gen Students
19%

Student Body

55%
Female
47%
35%
White
54%
11%
Hispanic
8%
9%
Black
3%
22%
Asian
15%
0.79
Diversity Index
0.67

Outcomes

$85,792
Earnings (6yr)
$60,838
$95,882
Earnings (8yr)
$66,951
$97,800
Earnings (10yr)
$72,424
$13,000
Median Debt
$19,500
0.13x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.27x
89%
Earning Above HS
80%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

160.26%
Mobility Rate
N/A
5039.1%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
N/A
318.0%
From Bottom 20%
N/A
$196,000
Parent Median Income
N/A

Social Capital

1.72
Economic Connectedness
1.67
0.03
Friending Bias
0.00
8.3%
Volunteering Rate
6.9%

Research (Times HE)

#24
World Rank
N/A
66.8
Teaching Score
N/A
71.5
Research Score
N/A
92.3
Citations Score
N/A

The Overviews

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private nonprofit

6% accept 96% grad $97,800 earnings $29,612 net

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.

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public

50% accept 83% grad $72,424 earnings $14,600 net

With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.

After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.

When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.

Sponsored

Compare Accredited Programs Accepting Applicants

Matched to high-demand fields — request info, free.

Ad