Duke's published cost of attendance reaches $82,749 per year, including $65,805 in tuition, $17,458 for room and board, and $1,602 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $34,454 after financial aid, representing savings of $48,295 through institutional aid, federal grants, and state assistance.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $87,072 |
| Tuition and Fees | $68,758 |
| Room and Board | $18,128 |
| Books and Supplies | $536 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$57,460 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $29,612 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $735 |
| $30–48k | $-361 |
| $48–75k | $5,706 |
| $75–110k | $17,100 |
| $110k+ | $54,230 |
Duke's published cost of attendance reaches $82,749 per year, including $65,805 in tuition, $17,458 for room and board, and $1,602 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $34,454 after financial aid, representing savings of $48,295 through institutional aid, federal grants, and state assistance. Duke's net price exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $7,311, reflecting the premium associated with highly selective private education.
Net costs vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $3,295 for families earning under $30,000 to $54,375 for families earning over $110,000. This $51,080 spread between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates Duke's progressive aid structure, which concentrates resources on students from lower-income backgrounds while maintaining higher costs for affluent families. The substantial gap between sticker price and average net cost indicates that most families receive meaningful financial assistance, though middle and upper-middle income families often face significant out-of-pocket expenses that exceed costs at public institutions.
Duke's financial aid strategy concentrates significant resources on students from lower-income backgrounds. The 12.7% Pell share, while modest compared to public institutions, represents Duke's enrollment of students from families typically earning under $50,000 annually.
The dramatic reduction from an $82,749 sticker price to a $3,295 net price for lowest-income families demonstrates substantial institutional investment in access. Net price increases progressively with family income, creating affordability challenges for middle and upper-middle income families who may not qualify for substantial aid but face costs exceeding many public alternatives.
The $48,295 average financial aid savings indicates that Duke provides meaningful assistance to most enrolled families, though the distribution of aid heavily favors students from lower-income backgrounds.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Duke graduates carry exceptionally low debt burdens relative to both national averages and peer institutions. Median debt reaches just $13,000, compared to a peer median of $24,181, representing an $11,181 advantage.
Debt ranges from $3,750 at the 25th percentile to $19,500 at the 75th percentile, indicating that even students borrowing more heavily maintain manageable obligations. Duke's debt performance ranks at the 88.0th percentile nationally, placing it among institutions with the lowest borrowing requirements.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13 means graduates' debt equals roughly 13% of first-year post-graduation income, well below concerning thresholds. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $27,936 with monthly payments of $368, representing additional family obligations beyond student debt.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Duke demonstrates exceptional return on educational investment despite higher net costs than peer institutions. Graduates earn $9,917 beyond expectations relative to similar students nationally, ranking at the 85.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
Median earnings of $97,800 exceed the peer median of $63,066 by $34,734 annually, creating substantial long-term value despite higher upfront costs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13 indicates that even families paying full costs can expect strong financial returns through reduced borrowing needs and enhanced career prospects.
Duke's combination of low debt requirements and exceptional earnings outcomes positions graduates favorably for long-term wealth building, homeownership, and financial security. For families able to manage the net price structure, Duke delivers among the strongest returns on educational investment in American higher education, particularly for students pursuing high-earning fields like engineering, computer science, and economics.
