When making a decision about where to pursue higher education, comparing colleges and universities is essential. In this article, we will compare two prominent institutions, Duke University and the University of Texas at Austin, to help you make an informed choice. We will provide an overview, costs & tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, students, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes for each school. Then, we will compare these factors between the two institutions.
Duke Overview
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina. Established in 1838, Duke is known for its strong academic programs, beautiful campus, and competitive athletics. The university enrolls approximately 15,000 students and offers over 200 academic programs through its 10 schools and colleges.
Duke Costs & Tuition
As a private institution, Duke has a higher tuition rate than public universities. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the total cost of attendance for undergraduate students is approximately $77,029, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Financial aid is available, and 52% of undergraduate students receive some form of need-based aid, with an average award of $54,246.
Duke Admissions
Duke is a highly selective university, with an acceptance rate of 8.5% for the class of 2025. Applicants must submit standardized test scores (either SAT or ACT), a personal essay, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. The middle 50% of admitted students had an SAT score range of 1480-1560 and an ACT score range of 33-35.
Duke Degrees Offered
Duke offers over 200 academic programs through its 10 schools and colleges, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Some of the most popular majors include public policy, economics, biology, engineering, and computer science.
Duke Academics
Duke is known for its rigorous academic programs and renowned faculty. The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, promoting close relationships between students and faculty members. The university also offers numerous research opportunities and study abroad programs for its students.
Duke Diversity
Duke has a diverse student body, with 53% of undergraduate students identifying as students of color. The university also has a significant international student population, with 11% of undergraduate students coming from outside the United States.
Duke Students
Duke enrolls approximately 15,000 students, with about 6,600 undergraduate and 8,400 graduate students. The university has a vibrant campus life, with over 400 student organizations, extensive athletic programs, and numerous on-campus events.
Duke Campus
Duke’s campus is known for its gothic architecture and picturesque landscape, spanning over 8,600 acres. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and athletic centers. Students can also take advantage of the surrounding city of Durham, which offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as numerous dining and entertainment options.
Duke Alumni
Duke has a strong alumni network, with over 180,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Apple CEO Tim Cook, journalist Charlie Rose, and former US Senator Elizabeth Dole.
Duke Rankings
Duke is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States and the world. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Duke is ranked #9 among National Universities.
Duke Outcomes
Graduates of Duke University can expect strong career outcomes, with a 96% employment rate within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for recent Duke graduates is $76,000.
UT Austin Overview
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a public research university located in Austin, Texas. Established in 1883, the university is known for its strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and commitment to research. UT Austin enrolls approximately 51,000 students and offers over 170 undergraduate and 237 graduate programs through its 13 colleges and schools.
UT Austin Costs & Tuition
As a public institution, UT Austin has a lower tuition rate than private universities like Duke. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the total cost of attendance for in-state undergraduate students is approximately $26,506, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Out-of-state students can expect to pay a total of around $54,394. Financial aid is available, and 65% of undergraduate students receive some form of need-based aid, with an average award of $10,634.
UT Austin Admissions
UT Austin is a selective university, with an acceptance rate of 32.1% for the class of 2025. Applicants must submit standardized test scores (either SAT or ACT), a personal essay, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. The middle 50% of admitted students had an SAT score range of 1230-1460 and an ACT score range of 27-33.
UT Austin Degrees Offered
UT Austin offers over 170 undergraduate and 237 graduate programs through its 13 colleges and schools. Some of the most popular majors include business, engineering, communication, social sciences, and biological sciences.
UT Austin Academics
UT Austin is known for its rigorous academic programs and renowned faculty. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, allowing for a balance between personalized attention and a diverse range of course offerings. The university also offers numerous research opportunities and study abroad programs for its students.
UT Austin Diversity
UT Austin has a diverse student body, with 52.5% of undergraduate students identifying as students of color. The university also has a significant international student population, with 10% of undergraduate students coming from outside the United States.
UT Austin Students
UT Austin enrolls approximately 51,000 students, with about 40,000 undergraduate and 11,000 graduate students. The university has a vibrant campus life, with over 1,300 student organizations, extensive athletic programs, and numerous on-campus events.
UT Austin Campus
UT Austin’s campus, located in the heart of Austin, Texas, spans over 431 acres and features numerous green spaces, modern facilities, and a lively atmosphere. Students can take advantage of the surrounding city’s vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as numerous dining and entertainment options.
UT Austin Alumni
UT Austin has a strong alumni network, with over 482,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include journalist Walter Cronkite, former First Lady Laura Bush, and computer pioneer Michael Dell.
UT Austin Rankings
UT Austin is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States and the world. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UT Austin is ranked #42 among National Universities and #13 among public universities.
UT Austin Outcomes
Graduates of UT Austin can expect strong career outcomes, with a 91% employment rate within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for recent UT Austin graduates is $60,000.
Duke vs UT Austin Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Duke and UT Austin, it is essential to consider the differences in tuition and financial aid. Duke, a private institution, has a higher total cost of attendance at $77,029 for the 2021-2022 academic year, compared to $26,506 for in-state students and $54,394 for out-of-state students at UT Austin. However, financial aid may offset these costs. At Duke, 52% of undergraduate students receive need-based aid, with an average award of $54,246. At UT Austin, 65% of students receive need-based aid, with an average award of $10,634.
Duke vs UT Austin Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Duke and UT Austin are competitive, but Duke is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.5% for the class of 2025. UT Austin has an acceptance rate of 32.1% for the same class. Additionally, admitted students at Duke tend to have higher standardized test scores, with the middle 50% range for SAT scores being 1480-1560 and ACT scores being 33-35. At UT Austin, the middle 50% range for SAT scores is 1230-1460, and for ACT scores, it is 27-33.
Duke vs UT Austin Academic Difficulty
Both Duke and UT Austin are known for their rigorous academic programs and renowned faculty. Duke has a lower student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, compared to 18:1 at UT Austin, which may indicate more personalized attention at Duke. However, both universities provide numerous research opportunities and study abroad programs for their students.
Duke vs UT Austin Outcome Comparison
Career outcomes for graduates of both Duke and UT Austin are strong, with Duke having a 96% employment rate within six months of graduation and a median starting salary of $76,000. UT Austin has a 91% employment rate within six months of graduation, with a median starting salary of $60,000.
