Head-to-head comparison
Duke University vs. Vanderbilt University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Duke or Vanderbilt harder to get into?
Duke is harder to get into than Vanderbilt. Duke's 5.1% acceptance rate is lower than Vanderbilt's 5.6%.
Which is cheaper, Duke or Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Vanderbilt's average net price is $15,846 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 $91,565 at Vanderbilt.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Duke | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1570 | 1490–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,222 | $92,522 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,612 | $15,846 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 6,717 | 7,144 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 96.8% | 93.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $97,800 | $91,565 |
| Setting | Durham, North Carolina | Nashville, Tennessee |
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 Vanderbilt's 5.6% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Vanderbilt is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $13,766 per year, $55,064 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Duke is in Durham, North Carolina; Vanderbilt is in Nashville, Tennessee. 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.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Duke is 53.7% women, 10.5% international, and 21.8% Asian-American. Vanderbilt is 52.5% women, 11.2% international, and 18.6% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Duke | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.7% | 52.5% |
| International | 10.5% | 11.2% |
| White | 35.2% | 39.1% |
| Asian | 21.8% | 18.6% |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 11.4% |
| Black | 8.7% | 9.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Duke vs. Vanderbilt?
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 $91,565)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Trinity College and Pratt Engineering
Pick Vanderbilt if
- Your odds are realistic at Vanderbilt (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Vanderbilt costs $13,766 less per year on average
- the residential colleges on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons
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
Vanderbilt University
5.6% accept · Nashville, Tennessee
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.