Is Duke or Georgia Tech better for merit scholarships?

The biggest practical tradeoff is that Duke has a few exceptionally generous, nationally competitive merit awards, while Georgia Tech can be far more affordable for eligible Georgia residents because state scholarships may combine with its lower in-state cost. At Duke, most undergraduates receive aid based on demonstrated financial need rather than merit, and only a small share receive named merit scholarships such as the A.B. Duke, B.N. Duke, Robertson, or Trinity awards. These awards can be transformative, but they are difficult to predict and should not be treated as likely funding in an admissions plan.

For Georgia residents, HOPE or Zell Miller eligibility can substantially change the calculation, and Tech’s in-state tuition structure makes those awards especially valuable. For a student who is not a Georgia resident, Duke may have the higher upside only if you win one of its rare flagship awards. For an eligible Georgia resident, Georgia Tech typically presents the more realistic and financially favorable merit-aid picture.