Duke tuition

Duke University Tuition

Preparing to start your studies at Duke is one of the most exciting times of your life. Shopping for your dorm, meeting other Duke admits, selecting your classes—there’s so much to look forward to! But for many students, this time can also be stressful, particularly as you start to think about Duke tuition. 

College tuition will likely be the biggest investment of your early adulthood, and for many, it can feel like a barrier to education—however, that does not have to be the case. In fact, even though Duke University tuition is at a higher price point than some schools, there are many options available for making college affordable to you.

In this article, we’ll explain what  the Duke cost of attendance is and how it can become more affordable for you.

Duke tuition per year: how much is it really?

Duke tuition is $63,450 per year, compared to an average national price tag of $41,568, making the Duke cost of attendance one of the highest among colleges. This price tag also marks a 4.9% increase in the Duke cost of attendance from the previous year.

However, is the listed Duke cost actually the price of Duke tuition per year? For many, the answer is no. With aid and scholarships, the average need-based student at Duke will pay $26,059. In fact, about 50% of students at Duke will receive financial assistance, making the Duke University tuition far more attainable for many. You can use the Duke net price calculator to estimate how much aid you qualify for and what your approximate Duke tuition per year will be. 

Note that neither of the numbers above listed include both the Duke tuition and fees, instead merely accounting for the yearly Duke tuition. We’ll talk about the total Duke cost below.

How much does it cost to go to Duke for 4 years?

With the Duke University cost of attendance amounting to approximately $83,263 per year—inclusive of the combined Duke tuition and fees—the total Duke University cost comes to around $333,000 for 4 years. This, of course, accounts for neither increases in Duke tuition and fees, nor for financial aid granted to students to help cover Duke tuition. 

Keep in mind that for the average student on aid, the total Duke University cost will be closer to $120,000 for 4 years.

Exploring Duke tuition further: Using the Duke net price calculator

If you’re trying to calculate what the Duke University cost will be given your personal financial situation, check out the Duke net price calculator. 

The Duke net price calculator is a virtual tool that allows students to input their family’s total income in order to get a sense of their aid eligibility. The tool will then output an estimate of the Duke University cost on a per-student basis; as Duke states, this is not a guarantee of aid, but rather an estimate of an individual student’s Duke University tuition price tag. In addition, the calculator is secure and no financial information is retained. 

Duke offers a walkthrough on how to use the Duke net price calculator. 

Duke cost of attendance: how much will attendance really cost?

The Duke tuition and fees, including room and board, for a student not receiving aid amount to $79,468. What do the Duke tuition and fees consist of? According to Duke’s list of fees, the Duke University cost includes payment for:

  • Duke University tuition
  • Student activity fee
  • Student services fee
  • Recreation fee
  • Health fee
  • Insurance
  • P.O box rental
  • Engineering government dues
  • Housing
  • Dining

The Duke cost of housing ranges from approximately $4,000 to $8,000 per semester. There are also a variety of dining plans from which students can choose, with options ranging from around $800 to $4,000 per semester.

Note, however, that the listed Duke cost of attendance does not account for the generous aid offered by Duke. Duke invests more than $1.5 billion in financial assistance for students each year and classifies as a need-blind school. Read more about how to afford the Duke tuition and fees.

Duke University tuition: Final Thoughts

Duke University tuition is pricey there’s no doubt about it. However, Duke offers incredibly generous aid, with as many as 51% of students qualifying for some amount of assistance. If you want to learn more about how to afford Duke, read one CollegeAdvisor admissions expert’s experience paying for Duke. In addition, CollegeAdvisor offers a webinar with advice on all things Duke. 

duke tuition

Looking for more help with your college search? We’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com has a network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers), including alumni of Duke University. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 576-0953.