Universities / Compare / North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs Duke University

North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs Duke University

Side-by-side comparison of tuition, graduate earnings, acceptance rate, graduation rate, student debt and more. Data automatically aggregated from public sources — errors may occur. Always verify with institutions.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public · 27,371 students
$69k
Earnings 10yr
85%
Grad Rate
41.7%
Accept Rate
$17k
Net Price/yr
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Duke University
Durham, NC · Private Nonprofit · 6,442 students
$98k
Earnings 10yr
97%
Grad Rate
5.7%
Accept Rate
$30k
Net Price/yr
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs Duke University — Full Comparison

MetricNorth Carolina State UniversityDuke University
Median Earnings (10yr)$68,758$97,800
Median Earnings (6yr)$57,623$85,792
Median Earnings (8yr)$65,113$95,882
% Earning >$25k (6yr)77.1%88.5%
Graduation Rate84.8%96.8%
Retention Rate94.5%97.9%
Acceptance Rate41.7%5.7%
SAT Average1,3761,548
In-State Tuition$8,799$68,758
Out-of-State Tuition$32,847$68,758
Avg Net Price (after aid)$17,303$29,612
Median Student Debt$20,121$13,000
Pell Grant Recipients19.6%14.0%
First-Gen Students19.3%13.5%
Total Students27,3716,442
Avg Faculty Salary$12,820$19,001
Spend per Student$18,060$87,044
Endowment$2.2B$11.9B
⚠️ This comparison does not imply overall superiority. Green/red indicators reflect individual metrics only. Many critical factors are NOT captured: teaching quality, research output, campus safety, mental health resources, career placement rates, alumni networks, class sizes, and individual program strength.
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Estimated Return on Investment

⚠️ This is a rough, simplified estimate only — we may have made errors in this calculation. Actual ROI depends on your major, career path, scholarships, loan interest, and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before any financial decision.
North Carolina State University
99%
Estimated ROI ratio
$68,758 earnings ÷ $69,212 est. cost
Duke University
83%
Estimated ROI ratio
$97,800 earnings ÷ $118,448 est. cost
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Most Popular Programs

North Carolina State University
Engineering24%
Business & Marketing17%
Biological Sciences10%
Computer Science5%
Duke University
Social Sciences13%
Computer Science13%
Biological Sciences13%
Engineering13%

Top Earning Programs

North Carolina State University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$107k
Business Administration, Management and Operations$93k⚠️ small sample
Educational Administration and Supervision$81k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology$62k
Criminal Justice and Corrections$62k⚠️ small sample
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$62k⚠️ small sample
Duke University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$155k⚠️ small sample
Business Administration, Management and Operations$121k⚠️ small sample
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$112k⚠️ small sample
Student Counseling and Personnel Services$99k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services$99k0
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$96k⚠️ small sample
⚠️ Figures marked "small sample" are based on fewer than 30 graduates and may not be statistically representative. Interpret with caution and verify directly with the institution.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs Duke University — Overview

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a Public located in Raleigh, North Carolina. It enrolls approximately 27,371 students with a graduation rate of 84.8%. Graduates earn a median salary of $68,758 ten years after starting college. The acceptance rate is 41.7%.

Duke University is a Private Nonprofit located in Durham, North Carolina. It enrolls approximately 6,442 students with a graduation rate of 96.8%. Graduates earn a median salary of $97,800 ten years after starting college. The acceptance rate is 5.7%.

🎓 This comparison reflects publicly available data points only and may contain errors. Choosing a university involves many personal factors no dataset can capture. We strongly encourage you to visit both campuses in person, speak with current students and recent alumni, consult qualified academic advisors and financial aid officers, and seek independent professional advice before making any enrollment or financial decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh or Duke University harder to get into?+

Based on available data, North Carolina State University at Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 41.7% while Duke University has an acceptance rate of 5.7%. Duke University is slightly more selective based on this metric alone. Acceptance rates vary by program, year, and applicant profile. Always verify directly with each institution.

Which university has better graduate earnings?+

According to available data, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates earn a median salary of $68,758 ten years after starting college, while Duke University graduates earn $97,800. Earnings vary significantly by major, career path, and individual circumstances. These are median estimates from public sources and may contain errors.

Which is more affordable — North Carolina State University at Raleigh or Duke University?+

After financial aid, the average net price at North Carolina State University at Raleigh is $17,303 per year compared to $29,612 at Duke University. Net price varies significantly based on family income and financial aid eligibility. These are averages — your actual cost may differ substantially. Contact each university's financial aid office for personalized estimates.

Which offers better return on investment?+

Using a simplified ROI estimate (10yr median earnings ÷ estimated 4-year cost), North Carolina State University at Raleigh shows approximately 99% and Duke University shows approximately 83%. This is a rough calculation that may contain errors — we make mistakes. Actual ROI depends on your major, career path, scholarships, loan interest, and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.

What factors should I consider beyond this comparison?+

Data comparisons capture only a fraction of what makes a university the right fit. Critical factors not reflected here include campus culture, social life, research opportunities, internship networks, geographic location, specific program quality within departments, faculty mentorship, alumni connections, mental health resources, campus safety, and your personal career goals. We strongly encourage campus visits, conversations with current students, and consultation with academic and financial advisors.

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Important Disclaimer
Data displayed on this page is automatically aggregated from publicly available sources through large-scale automation. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur and we make mistakes — data may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. UniOutcomes is an independent data aggregation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with any educational institution. This information is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for enrollment, financial, or career decisions. Many factors that define a university experience — campus culture, faculty quality, research opportunities, location, alumni networks, and personal fit — are not captured here. Always verify data directly with the institution. Always consult a qualified professional before making any major academic or financial decision.
Data is automatically aggregated from public government sources and may be inaccurate. For informational purposes only. Always verify from official sources before making any decision. Terms of Use