Stanford vs Duke University

Stanford University and Duke University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences to their students. Stanford, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is renowned for its strong ties to the tech industry and its focus on entrepreneurship. Duke, situated in Durham, North Carolina, is known for its interdisciplinary approach to education and its commitment to undergraduate research. With acceptance rates of 4.7% and 8.2%, respectively, both universities are highly selective. Stanford's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate enrollment of 7,046 compared to Duke's 6,742. While Stanford students predominantly pursue majors in engineering, computer science, and the social sciences, Duke students often choose majors in the natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Stanford's at 94% and Duke's at 93%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we

	Duke University	Stanford University
Overview
Location	Durham, North Carolina	Stanford, California
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	98.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation	Methodism

Admission
Acceptance rate	5.9%	3.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125
SAT range	1468 - 1558	1470 - 1570
ACT range	33 - 35	34 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	47.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	46.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	49,703	55,471
Total number of admissions given out	2,927	2,190
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,744	1,757
Yield rate	59.6%	80.2%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$79,860	$78,898
Average net price	$27,297	$14,402
Tuition	$58,085	$55,473
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,164 Meal plan: $6,862	Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	46.0% Average amount $50,731	61.0% Average amount $56,211
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $4,537	5.0% Average amount $5,151
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $22,957	1.0% Average amount $17,186

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,883 Men 48.4% Women 51.6%	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Graduate students	10,737 Men 45.5% Women 54.5%	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	58.5%
International students	21.4%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,718	14,621
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	California Texas Washington New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Engineering Legal Profession Social Sciences	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	6:1	5:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	95.9%	95.5%
Dropout rate	4.0%	1.7%
Transferred out	N/A	0.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	International Business (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $151,472 Year 2: $213,978 Year 3: $201,782 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $155,031 Year 2: $168,098 Year 3: $200,300 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $143,622 Year 2: $148,189 Year 3: $163,560 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $163,977 Year 2: $138,342 Year 3: $159,598 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $115,135 Year 2: $106,898 Year 3: $134,542 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $123,138 Year 2: $116,541 Year 3: $124,406 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $108,817 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $117,262 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $94,699 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $112,646 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,661 Year 2: $91,078 Year 3: $108,736 Economics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $104,348	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Stanford University and Duke University?

Stanford is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and business, heavily influenced by its proximity to Silicon Valley. Duke excels in pre-med, law, and public policy, with a robust focus on research across various disciplines. While both offer a broad range of academic opportunities, your specific interests might lead you to favor one over the other. Consider your intended major and career path when making your decision.
How does the campus culture differ between Stanford and Duke?

Stanford boasts a more laid-back, West Coast vibe, emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship. The campus culture is often described as collaborative and forward-thinking. Duke, on the other hand, has a more traditional, East Coast feel, with a strong emphasis on school spirit, particularly in athletics. The social scene at Duke is often more structured around Greek life and campus events.
What are the strengths of Stanford's undergraduate programs?

Stanford's undergraduate programs are particularly strong in engineering, computer science, business, and the humanities. The university offers unparalleled opportunities for research, internships, and entrepreneurship, thanks to its location in the heart of Silicon Valley. Students benefit from access to cutting-edge technology and a vibrant startup ecosystem.
What are the strengths of Duke's undergraduate programs?

Duke excels in pre-med, law, public policy, and the social sciences. The university provides exceptional research opportunities, particularly in the medical field. Duke also has a highly regarded undergraduate business program. The focus on interdisciplinary studies and a strong sense of community are also notable strengths.
How does the location of Stanford and Duke impact the student experience?

Stanford's location in Palo Alto, California, provides access to Silicon Valley's tech industry and a mild climate. Students have easy access to outdoor activities and a diverse cultural scene. Duke, located in Durham, North Carolina, offers a more traditional college town experience with a lower cost of living. The Research Triangle Park nearby provides opportunities in various industries, and the area has a growing arts and culture scene.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Stanford and Duke?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is comparable at both Stanford and Duke. Both universities offer generous financial aid packages to eligible students. It's recommended to review the financial aid information on each university's website to determine the net cost based on your family's financial situation.
What are the athletic programs like at Stanford and Duke?

Both Stanford and Duke have highly competitive athletic programs. Stanford is known for its overall athletic excellence, consistently winning the Learfield Directors' Cup, which recognizes the best overall athletic program in the nation. Duke is particularly strong in basketball, with a passionate fanbase and a history of national championships. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity and club sports.
What are the research opportunities like at Stanford and Duke?

Both universities offer extensive research opportunities for undergraduates. Stanford provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and faculty who are leaders in their fields, particularly in STEM areas. Duke has a strong emphasis on research across various disciplines, including medicine, law, and the social sciences, with numerous research centers and institutes available to students.
How selective are Stanford and Duke in their admissions processes?

Both Stanford and Duke are highly selective universities. They both have very low acceptance rates, and admissions are based on a holistic review of applicants, considering academic achievements, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Strong academic records and compelling personal qualities are essential for admission to either institution.
What are the career services like at Stanford and Duke?

Both Stanford and Duke offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Stanford's career services are particularly well-connected to the tech industry and Silicon Valley companies. Duke's career services have strong ties to various industries, including healthcare, law, and finance, and provide extensive resources for students seeking employment.

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