Best Master's Degree Programs at Duke University by ROI
Every Master's Degree major at Duke University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
18
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$898,132
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$82,749
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
International Business.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$3,030,142 | $201,782 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$2,796,862 | $190,118 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$2,265,702 | $163,560 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,821,162 | $141,333 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Engineering-Related Fields.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,169,222 | $108,736 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,081,462 | $104,348 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,011,622 | $100,856 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$945,342 | $97,542 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Bioethics/Medical Ethics.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$731,562 | $86,853 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Public Policy Analysis.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$693,702 | $84,960 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Physics.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$547,882 | $77,669 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$405,982 | $70,574 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Natural Resources Management and Policy.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$249,602 | $62,755 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$40,002 | $52,275 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Public Health.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$4,122 | $50,481 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$103,898 | $45,080 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$106,758 | $44,937 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Religion/Religious Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$417,338 | $29,408 | $82,749 | $0 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.