Head-to-head comparison
Duke University vs. Johns Hopkins University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Duke or Johns Hopkins harder to get into?
Duke is harder to get into than Johns Hopkins. Duke's 5.1% acceptance rate is lower than Johns Hopkins's 7.3%.
Which is cheaper, Duke or Johns Hopkins?
Johns Hopkins costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Johns Hopkins's average net price is $18,809 vs $29,612 at Duke.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Duke graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $97,800 at Duke and $87,555 at Johns Hopkins.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Duke | Johns Hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.1% | 7.3% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1530–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–36 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,222 | $91,710 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,612 | $18,809 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 6,717 | 5,318 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.8% | 93.8% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $97,800 | $87,555 |
| Setting | Durham, North Carolina | Baltimore, Maryland |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Duke is modestly harder to get into. The 2.1-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Johns Hopkins is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $10,803 per year, $43,212 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Duke graduates earn $10,245 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Johns Hopkins grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Duke is in Durham, North Carolina; Johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, Maryland. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Johns Hopkins has a more international student body (15.2% non-resident students vs 10.5%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Duke is 53.7% women, 10.5% international, and 21.8% Asian-American. Johns Hopkins is 54.9% women, 15.2% international, and 29.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Duke | Johns Hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.7% | 54.9% |
| International | 10.5% | 15.2% |
| White | 35.2% | 19.5% |
| Asian | 21.8% | 29.4% |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 18.7% |
| Black | 8.7% | 8.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Duke vs. Johns Hopkins?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Duke if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($97,800 vs $87,555)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Trinity College and Pratt Engineering
Pick Johns Hopkins if
- Your odds are realistic at Johns Hopkins (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Johns Hopkins costs $10,803 less per year on average
- its world-leading biomedical research
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Duke University
5.1% accept · Durham, North Carolina
Full profile
Johns Hopkins University
7.3% accept · Baltimore, Maryland
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.