Head-to-Head Comparison
Duke University vs Washington University in St Louis
- Duke Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 13
- Washington St Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis 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 Washington University in St Louis's $21,786 for in-state paths. Students who choose Washington University in St Louis benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,182 at ten years.
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, 13% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #24
Washington St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $7,826 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Duke graduates concentrate in Engineering (15% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). 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 Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Duke University. Net price $21,786 vs $29,612.
Pick Duke University over Washington University in St Louis. THE World Rank #24 vs #38.
Pick Duke University over Washington University in St Louis. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Duke University and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Duke University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Duke University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while Washington University in St Louis takes 12%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,548 to 1,530.
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, Washington University in St Louis comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,786, about $7,826 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Duke University also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $31,304 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington University in St Louis 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 $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, Duke University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 13% 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
Duke University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. Duke University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Duke 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, Duke University sits higher, at #24 versus #38.
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 Washington University in St Louis 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. Washington University in St Louis saves about $7,826 a year, yet Duke University graduates earn $11,618 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,612 runs well above Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $13,000 at Duke University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Duke holds onto its admits more tightly: 59% of admitted students enroll, versus 48% at Washington St — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Washington St (27.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 17.3%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Washington St, where only about 61% 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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
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 14% of Washington St'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 Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Duke University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis 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 Washington University in St Louis?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 12% at Washington University in St Louis.
Which is more affordable, Duke University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,786 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do Duke University or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Duke University or Washington University in St Louis?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 94%.
Duke University vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
Duke University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1%.
Should you choose Duke University or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington University in St Louis 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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