Duke vs Northwestern
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
BCatholic life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Duke UniversityDurham, NCCatholic life on campusACatholic life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Northwestern UniversityEvanston, ILCatholic life on campus
At a glance
- Duke lists Mass 7 times a week; Northwestern lists Mass every weekday.
- Duke lists confession 4 times a week; Northwestern, 3 times a week.
- For families earning $48,001 to $75,000, Duke has the lower price after aid: $5,706 a year, against $7,898 at Northwestern.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are higher at Duke: $97,800, against $89,363 at Northwestern.
Catholic life
Faith or Catholic life grade
BCatholic life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ACatholic life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
ACompass Score: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
ACompass Score: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Mass times
7 times a week
Every weekday
Confession times
4 times a week
3 times a week
Eucharistic adoration
Once a week
2 times a week
Campus ministry
3 listed
2 listed
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Durham, NC
Evanston, IL
Setting
City
City
Students
17,112
23,203
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
6%
8%
Average SAT
1548
1533
ACT middle 50%
34–35
33–35
Graduation rate
97%
95%
First-year retention
98%
98%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$29,612
$29,167
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$735
$1,764
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$-361
$6,099
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$5,706
$7,898
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$17,100
$18,282
Net price, over $110,000 income
$54,230
$48,777
Median debt
$13,000
$15,000
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$97,800
$89,363
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.