Brown University vs Duke University
Brown University and Duke University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences to their students. Brown, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is known for its open curriculum, allowing students to design their own academic paths. Duke, situated in Durham, North Carolina, emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. While both universities boast impressive academic reputations, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() Duke University |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | Durham, North Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 5.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | 1468 - 1558 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 47.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | 46.0% |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 49,703 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 2,927 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 1,744 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 59.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 | $79,860 |
Average net price | $25,028 | $27,297 |
Tuition | $60,944 | $58,085 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$9,164
Meal plan:
$6,862
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
46.0%
Average amount $50,731 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
20.0%
Average amount $4,537 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
3.0%
Average amount $22,957 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
6,883
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
10,737
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 96.5% | N/A |
International students | 18.6% | 21.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 5,718 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 95.9% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 4.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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International Business (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Master's Degrees)
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