Duke University vs University of Southern California (USC)
Duke University and the University of Southern California (USC) stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a distinct educational experience. Duke, nestled in Durham, North Carolina, boasts a lower acceptance rate, a more diverse student body, and a higher graduation rate compared to USC, situated in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Duke is renowned for its strengths in the social sciences, humanities, and engineering, while USC shines in fields like film, music, and business. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these esteemed universities, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Duke University |
![]() University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Durham, North Carolina | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.9% | 12.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$95
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$90
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SAT range | 1468 - 1558 | 1410 - 1540 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 47.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 46.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 49,703 | 71,031 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,927 | 8,884 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,744 | 3,668 |
Yield rate | 59.6% | 41.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $79,860 | $81,659 |
Average net price | $27,297 | $26,021 |
Tuition | $58,085 | $60,446 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,164
Meal plan:
$6,862
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Room/dormitory:
$10,098
Meal plan:
$6,634
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $50,731 |
72.0%
Average amount $40,690 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
20.0%
Average amount $4,537 |
22.0%
Average amount $4,215 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $22,957 |
2.0%
Average amount $29,056 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,883
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
20,790
Men 48.5% Women 51.5% |
Graduate students |
10,737
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
28,528
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 49.9% |
International students | 21.4% | 23.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,718 | 8,700 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Texas New York Illinois Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.9% | 92.0% |
Dropout rate | 4.0% | 7.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
International Business (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Master's Degrees)
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Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Marketing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Real Estate Development (Master's Degrees)
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