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Duke University vs University of Pennsylvania
Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools
Getting in
Acceptance rate5.2%4.9%
Early decision rate—13.3%
SAT middle 50%1510–1570~1510–1570
ACT middle 50%34–3534–35
Applicant reports on our site9401,224
Cost and aid
Tuition$73,740$65,670
Food and housing$20,222—
Sticker price per year$96,597—
Average need-based grant$76,455$70,867
Average % of need met100%100%
Outcomes
First-year retention97%98.6%
6-year graduation rate96.1%96.9%
Undergraduates6,5259,989
Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.
Duke University or University of Pennsylvania?
Is Duke University harder to get into than University of Pennsylvania?
They are about equally selective: Duke University admitted 5.2% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and University of Pennsylvania admitted 4.9% (2025-26).
What SAT scores do Duke University and University of Pennsylvania students have?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1570 at Duke University and about 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania.
Does Duke University or University of Pennsylvania have a higher graduation rate?
96.1% of Duke University students graduate within six years, compared with 96.9% at University of Pennsylvania.
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