Duke University vs Davidson College: which has better ROI?
Davidson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,516 in 2.1 years versus 2.4 years at Duke University, on median earnings of $81,400 vs $97,800 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Duke University | Davidson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,612 | $17,379 |
| Total net cost | $118,448 | $69,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $97,800 | $81,400 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $18,688 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $870,352 | $591,284 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Duke University or Davidson College?
Davidson College, at $17,379 a year after aid versus $29,612 — a gap of $12,233 a year, or $48,932 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 Davidson College graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates report a median $97,800 ten years after entry, $16,400 more than the $81,400 at Davidson College. 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 Davidson College?
Duke University: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $18,688 at Davidson College, a difference of $5,688. 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 91% at Davidson College. 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.