Durham, NC · Private University
Is Duke University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$97,800
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$65,805
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,805
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$263,220
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.49x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
95.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$13,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$34,454
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Duke University graduates earn $52,800 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Duke University ranked by graduate earnings
185 graduates
119 graduates
65 graduates
20 graduates
49 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Duke University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Duke University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $159,845) and the lowest (Chemistry: $29,748) is $130,097/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $159,845 | 2.4x |
| Economics | $153,139 | 2.3x |
| Computer Engineering | $137,144 | 2.1x |
| Statistics | $113,854 | 1.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $101,532 | 1.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $100,584 | 1.5x |
| Mathematics | $99,927 | 1.5x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $97,427 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $84,950 | 1.3x |
| History | $83,943 | 1.3x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $72,902 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $72,857 | 1.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,426 | 1.1x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $69,441 | 1.1x |
| Anthropology | $65,916 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $65,074 | 1.0x |
| Biology, General | $62,963 | 1.0x |
| International and Comparative Education | $57,321 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $56,777 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $53,607 | 0.8x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $45,921 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $39,359 | 0.6x |
| ChemistryLowest(1yr data) | $29,748 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | 1.49x | $97,800 | Average ROI |
| Vanderbilt University | 1.43x | $91,565 | Average ROI |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1.48x | $102,491 | Average ROI |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1.38x | $87,555 | Average ROI |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1.69x | $111,371 | Good ROI |
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Duke University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $97,800 10 years after starting — $52,800 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.