For Parents: The Value of a Duke Education

Why should we send our child to Duke instead of our perfectly good public university? Can we even afford it?

We'd argue that the value of a Duke education far exceeds its price tag. Talk to our students. See what our graduates do. But we also recognize that a college education is often one of the single biggest investments a family makes. In our view, affordability should not be a barrier to enrollment. That's why we are fully committed to our need-based financial aid program.

In fact, nearly half of our undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance. Admission to Duke is "need-blind" for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. This means that these students are admitted to Duke on the basis of their academic and extracurricular qualifications, not their financial circumstances. All admitted students who apply for financial aid receive 100 percent of their demonstrated financial need for all four years of undergraduate study.

For more information about how Duke can be affordable for virtually every family, please visit the Financial Aid Office Web site. Also, we've dedicated a whole section of our Admissions site to Cost & Financial Aid, so please check it out for more information.

Is financial aid available to international students?

Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents may still apply for need-based aid, and the university will meet the full demonstrated financial need for these students. But applying for financial aid does affect the admissions decision for these students because financial resources available to foreign citizens are limited.

How much does it cost to attend Duke?

The total estimated cost for 2005-2006 is $44,005, which is based on $32,600 for tuition and fees, $8,950 for room and board, $2,455 for books, supplies, and for personal expenses.

How do we apply for financial aid?

The admissions and financial aid processes at Duke are completely separate. We encourage students to apply for financial aid at the same time they apply for admission to the university. And for students who do not qualify for need-based aid, we offer a number of loan and payment programs and encourage students to work on campus. Our Financial Aid Office is happy to work with any student to help develop an appropriate strategy to pay for college expenses.

Does Duke offer any merit scholarships?

Duke offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships each year. Every student who applies to Duke is automatically considered for all merit scholarships; no separate application is required. Students who are selected for merit scholarships—whether they apply Early Decision or Regular Decision — will be notified by early April.

For a list of available merit scholarships, as well as detailed descriptions of each, please visit the Web site of the Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows.

Duke also offers scholarships in its Air Force (919/660-1860), Army (919/660-3090), and Naval Sciences (919/660-3700) ROTC programs. As an NCAA Division I university, Duke offers a number of athletic scholarships, and the coaches for each sport can provide specific information about available scholarships. You can find your way to the coaches by visiting GoDuke.com.