Head-to-Head Comparison
Duke University vs Yale University
- Duke Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 16
- Yale Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Yale University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Duke University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 96%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,612 compared to Yale University's $23,777 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Yale 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
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Yale
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Duke University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,777, roughly $5,835 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $12,975, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #10
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Duke graduates concentrate in Engineering (15% of degrees); Yale in Social Sciences (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 Yale University over Duke University. Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment vs $97,800.
Pick Yale University over Duke University. Net price $23,777 vs $29,612.
Pick Yale University over Duke University. THE World Rank #10 vs #24.
Pick Yale University over Duke University. 2.1% 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 Yale University are close on paper, but Yale 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
Yale University is the harder admit. It takes 4% of applicants, while Duke University takes 6%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,548 to 1,534.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Yale 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, Yale University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $23,777, about $5,835 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Yale University also borrow less: median debt of $12,975, against $13,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $23,340 before any change in aid. Choosing Yale University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Yale University graduates report median earnings of $100,533, compared with $97,800 at Duke University. That is a 3% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Yale University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.1%; at Duke University, it is 1.6%. Yale University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Yale 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, Yale University sits higher, at #10 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 Yale University 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
Their academic identities diverge. Duke University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while Yale 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 Yale University's $23,777.
- Engineering-focused students: Duke University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Yale holds onto its admits more tightly: 68% of admitted students enroll, versus 59% at Duke — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Duke offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Yale does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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.
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofit
Yale University boasts an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees. This high level of achievement reflects the supportive academic environment and resources available to students.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Yale's graduates have a median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment. While specific mobility rates are not available, the strong earnings potential suggests that graduates are likely to experience upward economic mobility, particularly when compared to peers from lower-income backgrounds.
The net price for attending Yale is $23,777, with a median debt of $12,975. This financial landscape allows students to invest in their education while keeping debt manageable. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are motivated and eager to engage deeply in their studies, particularly in top fields such as social sciences, biology, and engineering.
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 Yale leads with Sociology (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 Yale).
The two schools feed different job markets. Duke University is strongest in Engineering, while Yale University concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics. 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 Yale University?
Yale University is harder to get into, admitting 4% of applicants compared with 6% at Duke University.
Which is more affordable, Duke University or Yale University?
Yale University is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,777 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do Duke University or Yale University graduates earn more?
Yale University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,800 at Duke University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Duke University or Yale University?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 96%.
Duke University vs Yale University: which is better for social mobility?
Yale University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.1% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Duke University or Yale University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Yale University if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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How do Duke and Yale stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
