At $34,454/yr net price, Duke University graduates earn $97,800/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $63,800/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $34,454 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $137,816 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $97,800/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$63,800/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 95.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,295/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $242/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,901/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,487/yr |
| $110,001+ | $54,375/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Business. | Master | $213,978 | $117,357 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $168,098 | $158,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $148,189 | $80,630 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $138,342 | $98,014 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $116,541 | $105,069 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $106,898 | $13,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $97,071 | $89,495 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $97,071 | $14,500 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $91,078 | $42,568 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $90,856 | $13,187 |
The Risk Factor
95.8% of students at Duke University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Duke gives you one of the strongest returns in private higher education. Median earnings ten years out sit near $97,800, while typical debt lands at just $13,000 , you pay off less than most graduates earn in two months of work. A 95.8% graduation rate and 96% retention mean you almost certainly finish, which is where most ROI math falls apart at weaker schools.
The payoff concentrates in quantitative fields. Computer Science graduates clear $106,898, the highest on campus, and Computer Engineering follows close behind near $97,000. Economics at $90,856 gives you Wall Street and consulting access without an engineering course load. Statistics and Mathematics both pay in the low $80,000s, and Math carries the lowest debt of any listed program at $9,500. Every top-earning major here is a bachelor's program that pays for itself fast.
The main financial risk is the sticker price if your family earns over $110,000. You pay $54,375 a year , roughly $217,000 across four years , and Duke does not discount for high earners. If you enroll in a lower-paying humanities or arts field, that full-price bet gets harder to justify, since the strong salary numbers here lean on the STEM and economics tracks.
For lower and middle-income families, Duke is close to free. Under $48,000 in income drops your net price under $250 a year. Even at $48,000-$75,000, you pay under $7,000. If you land in these tiers and study anything quantitative, this is among the best financial deals available anywhere.
Duke fits you if you want a technical or economics degree and either qualify for strong aid or can absorb full cost. Look elsewhere if your family earns over $110,000 and you plan a low-earning major , the math stops working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duke University worth the high cost of tuition?
Duke graduates earn a median of $97,800 ten years after graduation, which is strong but may not justify the cost for all programs. The school's top-paying programs like international business ($213,978) and law ($168,098) show excellent returns, while other fields may leave graduates struggling to pay back loans.
How much debt do Duke University students typically graduate with?
Duke students graduate with a median debt of $13,000, which is relatively low compared to many private universities. The school's generous financial aid helps keep debt manageable, with a net price of $34,454 after aid.
Which Duke University programs offer the best return on investment?
Duke's business and law programs deliver the strongest financial returns, with international business graduates earning over $213,000 and law graduates earning $168,000. Healthcare administration and nursing programs also perform well, though nursing salaries ($116,541) may not justify the full cost of attendance.
Does Duke University provide enough financial aid to make it affordable?
Duke reduces costs significantly through financial aid, bringing the average net price down to $34,454 from the full sticker price. However, this still represents a substantial investment that works best for students pursuing high-earning career paths.