<p>Those are grad economics program rankings. They might be more pertinent if your goal was to get a PhD in Economics. Even undergrad rankings, though, wouldn’t be that indicative since the question is basically what school has more recruiting opportunities for top firms. I’m not sure what industry you are interested in, though. Consulting? Banking? Duke traditionally is a huge target school for the top firms in those industries. Northwestern still does well but doesn’t quite have the numbers that Duke has. Duke is typically only behind the top tier of Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, and Princeton for i-banking/management consulting, whereas Northwestern’s numbers put it slightly below Duke in general. I don’t think either would be noticeably better to prepare you to get in a top firm, though. If you’re smart and motivated enough to get a job from Duke, you’re smart and motivated enough to get the same job from Northwestern and vice versa by and large. The differences may simply be geographic in which office is recruiting you (Duke to New York, Boston, or DC whereas Northwestern to the Chicago office). Take a look at Duke grads that are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies - quite a lot of success.</p>
<p>Also, a certificate from Kellogg does not equal a degree from Kellogg. Certainly, the courses and topics will be relevant and helpful, but the “Kellogg prestige” is not really at play. They have a Financial Economics Certificate, whereas at Duke you can get a minor in Financial Economics if you’re not an Econ major or if you are an Econ major, you can get a concentration in Finance. I’m sure the courses are largely the same.</p>
<p>In summary, I don’t think there is a large enough difference in the prestige and job opportunities coming from either institution and thus I would choose largely based on personal preference. I live in Chicago and grew up 5 minutes from Northwestern. I personally found the quarter system unappealing as most students seem to constantly have exams and they don’t get out until mid-June so are at a handicap for internships. Perhaps some people like the shorter course duration. I worked in a Northwestern professor’s lab over one summer starting at the very beginning of May for 12 whole weeks. A Northwestern student joined my a full SIX weeks later. The high temp in Chicago tomorrow is 49. The high in Durham tomorrow is 75. This past May in Chicago had more days in the 30s than in the 60s…which made me very angry and cold. Northwestern’s campus is pretty and the lake is nice, but I personally find Duke’s sprawling campus and gardens much more attractive and well laid out. </p>
<p>Evanston is a much better city to walk around in than Durham - more stores, restaurants, etc. near campus. The bad part is that all bars in Evanston/Chicago are 21+, so the social life still is on campus a lot since only seniors (or people with fakes) can go to the bars anyways. Durham is an okay city to live in and there’s plenty within driving (not walking) distance in the shops and entertainment categories. But since the immediate surrounding bars/clubs cater to the college crowd, there is no 21 age restriction so you can hang out with everybody (technically, they just don’t give you wristbands to order alcohol). Chicago is nice to have close by to Northwestern, but based on my friends they, they rarely actually go into the city which is a 45 minute L ride (and again, bars are 21+). But I guess it’s nice to at least have the option.</p>
<p>Duke sports and athletics play a much more central part in Duke’s culture than Northwestern based on my experience. Northwestern football games are fun, but not near the same intensity of Duke basketball. If you like a solid sports culture, I think Duke has the edge.</p>
<p>Socially, both are known as places where students study hard and also know how to have a good time. I think all types of people (nerds and partiers) would be comfortable at both Northwestern and Duke.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>