Head-to-head comparison
Duke University vs. Stanford University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Duke or Stanford harder to get into?
Stanford is harder to get into than Duke. Stanford's 3.7% acceptance rate is lower than Duke's 5.1%.
Which is cheaper, Duke or Stanford?
Stanford costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Stanford's average net price is $13,807 vs $29,612 at Duke.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Stanford graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $97,800 at Duke and $124,080 at Stanford.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Duke | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.1% | 3.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,222 | $87,833 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,612 | $13,807 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 6,717 | 7,841 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.8% | 91.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $97,800 | $124,080 |
| Setting | Durham, North Carolina | Stanford, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Stanford is modestly harder to get into. The 1.4-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Stanford is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $15,805 per year, $63,220 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Stanford graduates earn $26,280 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. Duke 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; Stanford is in Stanford, California. 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 91.9% 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. Stanford is 51.6% women, 12.8% international, and 28.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Duke | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.7% | 51.6% |
| International | 10.5% | 12.8% |
| White | 35.2% | 23.0% |
| Asian | 21.8% | 28.7% |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 17.1% |
| Black | 8.7% | 7.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Duke vs. Stanford?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Duke if
- Your odds are realistic at Duke (slightly easier admit)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Trinity College and Pratt Engineering
Pick Stanford if
- Net price matters: Stanford costs $15,805 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($124,080 vs $97,800)
- interdisciplinary 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
Stanford University
3.7% accept · Stanford, California
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.