Duke University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Duke University charges a net price of $29,612/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $118,448. Graduates earn a median $97,800 ten years after entry, $49,440/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.4 years — a 20-year net return of $870,352, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Duke University's 2.4-year payback ranks #113 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 91% of them, and #3 of 115 in North Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $29,612/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $118,448 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $97,800 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $49,440/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $13,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $870,352 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Duke University's own numbers. Net price $29,612 × 4 years = $118,448 total. Median earnings $97,800 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $49,440 a year of premium. $118,448 ÷ $49,440 = 2.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $870,352. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Duke University students graduate with?
A median $13,000 in federal loans among completers, or 13% of the $97,800 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Duke University students graduate?
97% finish their degree. Spread the $118,448 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $122,111 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Duke University expensive compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Its $29,612 net price runs $18,766 above the $10,846 median across the 115 North Carolina colleges we profile, or $75,064 more across the full degree.