Costs of Studying at Duke?

Hello folks! I'm a rising junior starting to seriously consider my college plans. Duke is my dream school but is it financially feasible for me? Can anyone tell me about Duke’s tuition fees and additional, often overlooked costs? Thanks!

For the 2024-2025 academic year, Duke University's tuition is approximately $66,326. Keep in mind this is just for the instructional costs and does not include other associated expenses.

In addition to tuition, it's important to consider costs such as:

1. Room and Board - This usually costs around $20,000 per year for a standard double room and a meal plan.

2. Books and Supplies - This cost can vary widely depending on your major, the classes you take, and whether you rent, buy, or utilize library resources. Generally, students at Duke can expect to spend around $540 per year on books and supplies.

3. Personal Expenses - This includes everything from laundry to social events to personal care items, and it will vary greatly from student to student. Duke recommends budgeting around $3,300 per year for personal expenses.

4. Transportation - This cost will depend on how far you're traveling and how often, but Duke suggests budgeting a range of $590 to $1,300 per year.

When you add these up, the total estimated cost of attendance at Duke University for 2024-2025 ranges from $93,330 to $94,066.

However, remember this is just an estimate. Some students may find themselves spending more, others less, depending on their personal situation and habits.

Duke does meet 100% demonstrated need for all admitted students through a combination of grants, loans, and work-study. Families who earn less than $60,000 per year will usually have their full demonstrated need met with grants and a work-study job—there's no student loan expectation. Families who earn more than $60,000 per year and qualify for financial aid can expect some amount of student loans in their financial aid package, but grants will still make up the majority of the aid.

A great way to predict how much your family will be expected to pay is to use Duke's net price calculator, which will give you an estimated financial aid package based on your financial information (https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/duke). Keep in mind that this is just an estimate. The actual financial aid package you receive could be slightly different.

Remember, it's not just about getting in - it's also about being able to afford to attend! Don't hesitate to reach out to Duke's financial aid office with any questions. They can give you the most accurate and specific information.