Duke University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $114,500 within 10 years; exceptional 97% graduation rate.
About This School
Duke University is a private nonprofit institution located in Durham, North Carolina with approximately 6,442 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 6%. The average net price after financial aid is $29,612 per year. The graduation rate is 97%, and the typical graduate earns $114,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco and electric power industrialist James Buchanan Duke established the Duke Endowment and the institution changed its name to honor his deceased father, Washington Duke.
This is a strong option for high-achieving students who can get in — a 7% acceptance rate makes it one of the most selective schools in the country, so apply with a realistic backup plan. The financial and outcome numbers are genuinely impressive: median debt of just $12,000 at graduation paired with $114,500 in median earnings a decade out is a combination most schools can't match. The 96% graduation rate signals that students who enroll are well-supported and finish strong.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 32% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Duke University graduates earn most above the national rate in Mathematics ($297,029 vs $69,562 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 410 | $195,809 | $107,009 | +$88,800 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 224 | $87,763 | $88,910 | −$1,147 |
| Economics | 199 | $161,149 | $82,686 | +$78,463 |
| Biology, General | 169 | $83,192 | $57,214 | +$25,978 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 144 | $103,071 | $73,721 | +$29,350 |
| Political Science and Government | 111 | $88,459 | $63,293 | +$25,166 |
| Computer Engineering | 110 | $174,522 | $109,015 | +$65,507 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 102 | $105,921 | $93,451 | +$12,470 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 95 | $73,140 | $62,451 | +$10,689 |
| Mathematics | 83 | $297,029 | $69,562 | +$227,467 |
| Statistics | 83 | $152,782 | $92,425 | +$60,357 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 73 | $120,991 | $92,135 | +$28,856 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,442 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in North Carolina
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High Point University
High Point, NC · Private nonprofit
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC · Public
Forsyth Technical Community College
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Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC · Public
See How Colleges Compare
Duke University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Duke University?
Duke University has an acceptance rate of 6%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Duke University hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 6%, Duke University is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
How much does Duke University cost?
The average net price at Duke University is about $29,612 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Duke University?
Duke University has a graduation rate of 97%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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