Duke University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Duke University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stand as two of the most prestigious universities in the United States, each offering a world-class education and a vibrant campus life. While they share a commitment to academic excellence, these institutions differ in several key aspects. Duke, a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, boasts a lower acceptance rate (8.2%) compared to MIT's highly selective 4.1%. In terms of student demographics, Duke's undergraduate population is more diverse, with a higher percentage of female and international students. MIT, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is renowned for its strength in STEM fields, with popular majors including computer science, engineering, and physics. Duke, on the other hand, offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors in economics, public policy, and biology. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Duke's four-year graduation rate at 89% and MIT's six-year graduation rate at
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![]() Duke University |
![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Durham, North Carolina | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 99.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.9% | 4.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$95
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1468 - 1558 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 47.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 46.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 49,703 | 33,240 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,927 | 1,365 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,744 | 1,177 |
Yield rate | 59.6% | 86.2% |
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 | $79,860 | $58,920 |
Average net price | $27,297 | $30,958 |
Tuition | $58,085 | $55,510 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,164
Meal plan:
$6,862
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Room/dormitory:
$11,550
Meal plan:
$6,550
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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 $50,731 |
100.0%
Average amount $32,562 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
20.0%
Average amount $4,537 |
6.0%
Average amount $5,112 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $22,957 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,891 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,883
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
4,638
Men 51.9% Women 48.1% |
Graduate students |
10,737
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
7,296
Men 62.0% Women 38.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 21.4% | 29.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 5,718 | 6,280 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Texas New York Florida New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 3:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.9% | 96.2% |
Dropout rate | 4.0% | 3.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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