Duke ranks at the 98.9th percentile nationally for return on investment, delivering among the highest we track for long-term financial outcomes. Graduates earn $9,917 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Duke at the 85.6th percentile for earnings uplift. Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment rank at the 98.0th percentile, substantially exceeding the peer median of $63,066 by $34,734 annually. Duke's debt performance at the 88.0th percentile, with median borrowing of just $13,000 versus the peer median of $24,181, creates a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13. This combination positions Duke graduates for exceptional long-term financial security, with low borrowing requirements and high earning potential supporting wealth accumulation, homeownership, and career flexibility throughout their professional lives.
Duke graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout the early career period. Median earnings rise from $85,792 six years after enrollment to $95,882 at eight years and $97,800 at ten years, representing 14.0% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 1,071 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $9,917 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Duke at the 85.6th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $121,600, ranking among the top 5% nationally for this measure. The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with outcomes ranging from $66,351 at the 25th percentile to $171,770 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 30.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry. Duke's peer median earnings of $63,066 highlight the institution's $34,734 advantage in graduate outcomes.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes at Duke show significant variation across programs and career paths. The gap between the 25th percentile ($66,351) and 75th percentile ($171,770) represents a 2.6:1 ratio, reflecting substantial differences in field of study and post-graduation roles. Computer Science graduates earn a median of $159,845, while Applied Economics graduates earn $153,139, and Computer Engineering graduates earn $137,144. Earnings trajectory shows consistent growth, with a 14.0% increase between the six-year and ten-year marks. The ten-year cohort of over 1,000 graduates provides reliable data across Duke's diverse academic programs rather than isolated high-earning tracks.
Financial justification for the investment.
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation reflecting diverse career pathways and program choices. The distribution spans from $66,351 at the 25th percentile to $171,770 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.6:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. Low-income graduates earn $121,600, ranking among the top 5% nationally, indicating strong mobility potential for students from lower-income backgrounds who gain admission to Duke.
Approximately 30.3% of Duke graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with high confidence in this estimate based on program mix analysis. This substantial continuation rate reflects Duke's strong preparation for advanced study in law, medicine, business, and academic fields, indicating diverse pathways beyond immediate workforce entry.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Duke's highest-earning programs concentrate in technical and quantitative fields that drive overall institutional performance. Computer Science leads with median earnings of $159,845, followed by Applied Economics at $153,139 and Computer Engineering at $137,144. These three programs alone account for significant portions of Duke's enrollment and contribute substantially to the institution's strong earnings outcomes. Mathematical Statistics and Probability graduates earn $113,854, while Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering graduates earn over $100,000. Even programs with more modest earnings, such as American Government and Politics at $84,950 and American History at $83,943, perform strongly relative to similar programs nationally. This diversity of high-performing programs across multiple disciplines supports Duke's exceptional return on investment while serving students with varied career interests.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Upper quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation reflecting diverse career pathways and program choices. The distribution spans from $66,351 at the 25th percentile to $171,770 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.6:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. Low-income graduates earn $121,600, ranking among the top 5% nationally, indicating strong mobility potential for students from lower-income backgrounds who gain admission to Duke.
