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College Comparison

Duke University vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Duke University

Durham, NC

School

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricDukeUMass Amherst
Acceptance Rate6.8%wins57.8%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1510–1570wins1300–1480
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins29–33
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,805$39,293wins
Avg Net Price$34,454$23,691wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$97,800wins$71,631
Graduation Rate95.8%wins83.2%
Retention Rate96.2%wins91.0%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment6,41723,694wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Duke edges out UMass Amherst on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Duke Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 6.8%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1510–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $97,800

UMass Amherst Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $39,293
  • Avg Net Price: $23,691
  • Total Enrollment: 23,694

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