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Colleges / NC / Durham
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Duke University

Private nonprofit Durham, NC · Urban · Southeast · 100% data reported · Agent Insights
96%
Graduation Rate
$97,800
Earnings (10yr)
$29,612
Net Price
6%
Acceptance Rate

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Overview

With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Duke University is a place where ambitious students thrive. It attracts those who are serious about their education and want to dive deep into areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The community here is vibrant, and students often find themselves surrounded by peers who share a passion for learning and a drive to make an impact.

Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Duke can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $97,800 a decade after they leave. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable nature of the education relative to earnings. Graduates tend to find good job opportunities, reflecting the high graduation rate of 96%. This means that most students not only complete their degrees but also enter the workforce prepared and competitive.

On the financial side, the net price for students, after aid, stands at $29,612, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The typical debt load is $13,000, which is relatively low and suggests that many students can graduate without being weighed down by heavy financial burdens. This creates an environment where motivated individuals can thrive, especially those who are eager to leverage their education into successful careers.

Rankings

How Duke Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation96%Earnings 10yr$98KNet Price$30KRetention98%Median Debt$13KPell Grant Rate14%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$1K$0-30K$0K$30-48K$6K$48-75K$54K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%318.0%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%5039.1%MOBILITY160.26%

Cost & Financial Aid

$68,758
In-State Tuition
$68,758
Out-of-State
$29,612
Avg Net Price
$13,000
Median Debt
14%
Pell Grant Rate
14%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$735
Family Income $0–$30K
$-361
Family Income $30K–$48K
$5,706
Family Income $48K–$75K
$54,230
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$85,792
6 Years After Entry
$95,882
8 Years
$97,800
10 Years
0.13x
Debt-to-Earnings
89%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$85,792 6yr $95,882 8yr $97,800 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

160.26%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
5039.1%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
318.0%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$196,000
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.72
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
0.03
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
8.3%
Volunteering Rate
1.00
Support Ratio
Community support

Research & Teaching

Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings

#24
World Rank
66.8
Teaching
71.5
Research
92.3
Citations
49.4
International

Innovation

Data: Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data

2.106%
Inventor Rate
269
Total Patents
501
Total Citations

Academics & Admissions

Acceptance Rate 6%
Retention Rate 98%
SAT Average 1548
ACT Midpoint 34
SAT Range 1500–1570
ACT Range 34–35
Full-Time Faculty 94%
Faculty Salary (mo) $19,001
Diversity Index 0.79
First-Gen Students 13%

Top Programs

Social Sciences 13%
Computer Science & IT 13%
Biology & Biomedical 13%
Engineering 13%
Health Professions 10%
Psychology 5%
Mathematics & Statistics 4%
Physical Sciences 2%