Duke University vs Cabarrus College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Duke University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,448 in 2.4 years versus 3.4 years at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $97,800 vs $58,708 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Duke University | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,612 | $17,618 |
| Total net cost | $118,448 | $35,236 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $97,800 | $58,708 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $16,000 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 3.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $870,352 | $171,724 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Duke University or Cabarrus College of Health Sciences?
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, at $17,618 a year after aid versus $29,612 — a gap of $11,994 a year, or $83,212 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Duke University or Cabarrus College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates report a median $97,800 ten years after entry, $39,092 more than the $58,708 at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Duke University or Cabarrus College of Health Sciences?
Duke University: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $16,000 at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, a difference of $3,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
97% of students finish at Duke University, against 71% at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.