Head-to-head comparison
Duke University vs. Northeastern University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Duke or Northeastern harder to get into?
Duke is harder to get into than Northeastern. Duke's 5.1% acceptance rate is lower than Northeastern's 5.2%.
Which is cheaper, Duke or Northeastern?
Duke costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Duke's average net price is $29,612 vs $30,915 at Northeastern.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Duke graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $97,800 at Duke and $92,538 at Northeastern.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Duke | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1440–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,222 | $84,641 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,612 | $30,915 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 6,717 | 17,326 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.8% | 90.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $97,800 | $92,538 |
| Setting | Durham, North Carolina | Boston, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Duke's 5.1% acceptance rate and Northeastern's 5.2% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Duke draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1570 vs 1540 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.
Northeastern is substantially larger with 17,326 undergrads vs 6,717 at Duke. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Duke is in Durham, North Carolina; Northeastern is in Boston, Massachusetts. 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.
Duke's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (96.8% vs 90.5% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Duke is 53.7% women, 10.5% international, and 21.8% Asian-American. Northeastern is 56.6% women, 13.6% international, and 22.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Duke | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.7% | 56.6% |
| International | 10.5% | 13.6% |
| White | 35.2% | 39.9% |
| Asian | 21.8% | 22.3% |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 10.4% |
| Black | 8.7% | 5.0% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Duke vs. Northeastern?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Duke if
- Net price matters: Duke costs $1,303 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($97,800 vs $92,538)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Trinity College and Pratt Engineering
Pick Northeastern if
- Your odds are realistic at Northeastern (slightly easier admit)
- the co-op program that embeds students in industry for multiple semesters
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
Northeastern University
5.2% accept · Boston, Massachusetts
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.