Whether you’re just starting your college search or already eyeing that Blue Devil acceptance letter, knowing how much Duke University costs per year is a smart move. The total cost of attendance for 2025–2026 is around $98,549 to $99,344 per year, and that’s the full sticker price before any financial aid kicks in.
We’ll go through each part of the Duke University cost, show you the real numbers, and explain how financial aid and scholarships can lower your actual bill (sometimes by a lot).
- Duke University Cost of Attendance
- Duke Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
Duke University Cost of Attendance
If you’re wondering how much it costs to go to Duke University, the short answer is around $98,549 to $99,344 per year for domestic undergraduates living on campus. That includes tuition, housing, food, fees, and everyday expenses.
Here’s what the 2025–2026 cost of attendance looks like for a typical first-year student:
| Expense Category | Annual Cost |
| Tuition | $70,265 |
| Fees | $2,907 |
| Housing | $10,910 |
| Meal Plan | $10,075 |
| Books & Supplies | $536 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,274 |
| Transportation | $582–$1,317 |
| Estimated Total Cost | $98,549–$99,344 |
Of course, this doesn’t mean you’ll actually pay that full amount. These are standard estimates Duke uses to calculate financial aid. But it gives you a clear idea of what college really costs when all the basics are added up.
Now let’s break down each part of that total so you know where your money is going and where you might be able to save.
Duke tuition and fees
For the 2025–2026 school year, Duke charges $70,265 for tuition alone. That’s what you pay to attend classes, access faculty, and use university facilities. On top of that, you’ll pay about $2,907 in required fees, which cover:
- Student health services
- Campus recreation
- Student activities
- Technology and services
- A one-time registration fee for first-years
Altogether, the tuition and fees come out to roughly $73,172 per year.
Per semester, tuition is $35,132.50, and total fees average about $1,450. So the Duke University cost per semester for academics is about $36,500.
There might be extra costs depending on your major, like lab fees for sciences or equipment fees for engineering, but those aren’t included in this general estimate.
Duke housing
As of 2025–2026, Duke students are required to live on campus for three years. First-years live in their assigned East Campus residence halls. Sophomores and juniors must stay in campus housing as well, either in their connected quad or in approved options like 300 or 301 Swift, Blue Light, or Hollows. Seniors are the only ones allowed to live off-campus if they choose.
For most students, the standard is a double room, which costs $10,910 per year or $5,455 per semester. But there are other housing options, and the price changes depending on what you choose.
Here’s a full breakdown of the 2025–2026 housing rates per student:
| Room Type | Per Semester | Per Year |
| Double Room | $5,455 | $10,910 |
| Single Room | $7,206 | $14,412 |
| Apartment Shared Bedroom | $7,206 | $14,412 |
| Apartment Private Bedroom | $8,958 | $17,916 |
As you can see, upgrading to a single or private bedroom apartment adds several thousand dollars a year. The cheapest option is the standard double room. If you choose a private bedroom in an apartment, you’re looking at nearly $18,000 a year, which is almost the same price as tuition at many state schools.
While some students hope to move off-campus to save money, you’re required to live on campus for three years. Only in senior year can you opt out and live elsewhere, and even then, many stay for convenience or to keep their housing assignment in a preferred quad.
Still, once you’re eligible, going off-campus could lower your costs if you share rent and keep your expenses in check. Just remember to factor in groceries, utilities, and transportation when comparing prices.
If you stay in Duke housing all four years at the double-room rate, housing alone would cost about $43,640. That’s assuming prices stay flat (and they probably won’t).
Duke meal plans
If you’re living on campus, you’ll be required to enroll in a dining plan—and yes, the costs can add up fast. First-year students are automatically placed on Plan I, which is the most comprehensive option and includes a mix of board meals and food points.
The total cost per semester for Plan I is $5,381.96, which includes:
- $3,609 for the base dining plan
- $984 in food points (used like cash on campus)
- A 7.5% sales tax on both components
- A $100 dining contract fee
That brings the annual cost for Plan I to $10,763.92, which is higher than what Duke includes in the estimated cost of attendance, which uses a rounded figure of $10,075.
Upperclass students can choose from a wider range of plans depending on their eating habits and whether they’re on or off campus. Here’s a table to help you compare:
| Dining Plan | Eligibility | Per Semester | Annual Total | Notes |
| Plan I | First-years only | $5,381.96 | $10,763.92 | Most comprehensive; includes board meals + food points |
| Plan A | Upperclass only | $3,171.28 | $6,342.56 | For light eaters or those who eat off-campus often |
| Plan B | Upperclass only | $3,780.80 | $7,561.60 | For flexible eaters who snack or use food vendors |
| Plan C | Upperclass only | $4,175.33 | $8,350.66 | Balanced plan with two meals/day and snacks |
| Plan D | Upperclass only | $4,473.10 | $8,946.20 | For students who eat three full meals per day |
| Plan E | Upperclass only | $4,870.85 | $9,741.70 | For heavy eaters or those who snack frequently |
| Plan F | Off-campus only | $1,106.20 | $2,212.40 | Minimal plan for snacks or a few meals/week on campus |
| Plan J | Swift Quad only | $2,272.58 | $4,545.16 | Covers ~1 meal/day plus occasional extras on campus |
Food Points are worth $1 each and can be used at any Duke dining location, food trucks, vending machines, and most campus stores. You can reload them during the semester if you run out.
The key takeaway? If you’re on Plan I, expect to spend over $10,700 for food in your first year. After that, you’ll have more flexibility, and picking a lower-cost plan can save you a few thousand dollars per year.
Books and supplies
Books and school supplies are relatively inexpensive compared to everything else. Duke estimates this at $536 per year, or $268 per semester. That covers:
- Textbooks
- Notebooks and stationery
- Lab materials
- Course software (if needed)
If you rent or buy used books, you could spend even less. And some professors use free or low-cost digital materials.
Transportation and personal expenses
These are the most flexible costs and vary a lot depending on where you live and your lifestyle. Here’s what Duke estimates:
- Transportation: $582 to $1,317 per year
- Personal expenses: $3,274 per year
Personal expenses include:
- Toiletries
- Laundry
- Clothes
- Phone bills
- Weekend plans and outings
Transportation depends on how far you are from campus. A student from North Carolina might spend under $600 per year. Someone flying cross-country will easily go over $1,000.
If you’re planning to bring a car to Duke, you’ll need to budget for a parking permit. The annual student parking permits range from $231 to $2,376, depending on the location and type of parking facility. For example, permits for surface lots are generally less expensive, while those for garages or premium locations cost more.
When considering bringing a vehicle to campus, it’s important to factor in these costs, as well as the convenience of the parking location relative to your classes and residence.
Duke Financial Aid and Scholarships
Here’s the good news: Duke meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all domestic undergraduates. Plus, you don’t need to be low-income to qualify for help.
Each year, Duke awards over $149 million in grant and scholarship aid to its undergrad population. That’s not pocket change, and it goes a long way in making Duke more affordable for thousands of students.
In fact, 51% of Duke undergraduates pay less than the full cost of attendance. So if you’re worried about the sticker price, know that there’s a very good chance you won’t be paying all of it.
How Duke calculates your aid
Your financial aid package starts with a simple formula:
Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Aid Offered
Duke determines your EFC based on the information you submit through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Once they have your EFC, they fill the gap using a combination of:
- Duke grants and scholarships (which don’t need to be repaid)
- Federal and state aid (if eligible)
- Work-study opportunities
- Federal student loans (if applicable)
This means that your final out-of-pocket cost may be significantly lower than the published tuition.
To get a quick estimate of what you might actually pay, try Duke’s official Net Price Calculator. It’s a great tool for seeing how much aid you might qualify for based on your family’s finances.
Need-based aid
To qualify for need-based aid, you’ll need to submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and Duke will take it from there. More than half of Duke undergrads receive aid, and about 21% pay zero tuition. Depending on your family’s income, your aid package may include:
- Full tuition coverage
- Support for room and board
- Low or no student loans
Merit scholarships
Duke also offers highly competitive merit-based scholarships. Some of these cover the entire Duke University cost for four years: tuition, housing, meals, and more. These scholarships are extremely selective, but they offer full financial support and often additional enrichment opportunities.
Here’s a quick look at the top merit scholarships offered at Duke:
| Scholarship | What It Covers | Who It’s For |
| Angier B. Duke Scholarship | Full tuition, room, board, and fees for 4 years | Exceptional domestic students; by invitation |
| Robertson Scholars Program | Full tuition, fees, room, board, summer enrichment, dual-campus access with UNC | High-achieving students; separate application required |
| Karsh International Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, room, board, and additional support | Outstanding international students |
| Rubenstein Scholars | Full tuition, room, board, and enrichment funding | First-generation, low-income U.S. students |
All admitted students are automatically considered for most merit awards, though some, like the Robertson and Karsh, require a separate application or nomination.
Federal aid and loans
Federal student aid is available too. Depending on your income and FAFSA results, you may qualify for:
- Pell grants (up to $7,395/year). A need-based grant from the federal government that doesn’t need to be repaid. It’s awarded to students with significant financial need.
- Federal work-study. A part-time job program that lets you earn money to help cover personal or educational expenses. Jobs are usually on campus or with approved off-campus partners.
- Subsidized/unsubsidized loans (up to $5,500/year). These are federal student loans that must be repaid after graduation. Subsidized loans don’t accrue interest while you’re in school, while unsubsidized loans do.
Even if you don’t qualify for much need-based aid, federal loans can help spread out your payments over time. External scholarships can also chip away at your total Duke University cost if you’re awarded money from private organizations or community programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does Duke University cost per year?
The Duke University cost per year for 2025–2026 is around $98,549 to $99,344 for domestic undergraduates living on campus. This includes tuition, housing, meals, fees, books, transportation, and personal expenses.
2. How much does it cost to go to Duke University for 4 years?
If you paid the full sticker price each year, the total Duke University cost for 4 years would be close to $395,000 to $400,000. However, most students receive financial aid that significantly lowers their actual cost.
3. What is the Duke University cost per semester?
The Duke University cost per semester depends on your exact housing and meal plan choices, but tuition alone is $35,132.50, and total semester costs often land between $49,000 and $50,000 before aid.
4. How many students receive financial aid at Duke?
About 51% of Duke undergraduates receive financial aid, and around 21% pay zero tuition. Duke meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted domestic students.
Takeaways
If you’re still weighing your options or crunching the numbers, here are the most important aspects to keep in mind about the Duke University cost:
- The Duke University cost per year for 2025–2026 is between $98,549 and $99,344, including tuition, housing, meals, fees, books, personal expenses, and travel.
- Most students don’t pay that full amount. Duke meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and awards over $149 million in grant and scholarship aid annually.
- About 51% of Duke students pay less than the full cost, and around 21% pay no tuition at all. Aid packages may also include help with housing and meals.
- Your actual Duke University cost depends on factors like your family income, residency, and financial aid eligibility, so use the Net Price Calculator to get a customized estimate.
- Want help figuring out your real Duke University cost and how to make it more affordable? A college admissions consultant can give you expert, personalized guidance to help you lower your costs and get the best aid possible.
