Master's Programs Flat-Fee Tuition
The Nicholas School uses a “flat-fee” tuition structure, which means all master’s degree students pay the same tuition regardless of their specific program or whether the work is completed online or in person. This flat fee covers between 9 and 15 units of credit per semester.
- Full-time enrollment for on-campus MEM and MF students is expected to be 12 course credits per semester.
- DEL-MEM students must be enrolled with at least 6 course credits per semester to be considered a full-time student.
- Summer classes are not included in the flat-fee tuition.
- Students can take courses at one of Duke's other graduate/professional schools (e.g. Fuqua, Pratt, Duke Law, etc.) during the fall or spring semester at no additional cost.
On-Campus Degrees: MEM & MF
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2025-2026
| Tuition |
$48,088 |
| Fees (details below) |
$1,578 |
| Total Tuition & Fees |
$49,666 |
| |
|
| Estimated Personal Expenses |
|
| Books & Supplies |
$660 |
| Housing & Food |
$18,162 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses |
$6,462 |
| |
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance |
$74,950 |
The estimated cost of attendance listed above is for the 2025-2026 academic year only. Students should anticipate that the cost of attendance will increase for 2026-2027. Tuition, fees, and living expenses will be set in early spring for the academic year. Average costs are used for all cost of attendance components excluding tuition and fees. The estimated cost of attendance can be used to budget personal finances and determine the need for loans or other supplemental funding, if appropriate.
Concurrent degree students: Please review the Tuition and Financial Aid Policy for Concurrent Degree Students.
FEES INCLUDE:
- Student health fee: $1006
- Student activity fee: $38
- Recreation fee: $389
- Graduate student services fee: $25
- One time Transcript fee: $120
Tuition and the mandatory fees are determined annually by Duke University and are subject to change from year to year.
Not included in the above amounts is major medical insurance. All students are required to carry major medical insurance. Duke offers a plan for any full-time degree seeking student. The rate has not yet been confirmed for 2025-2026 but it is likely to be around $3,705 covering August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026. All incoming international students holding an F1 or J1 visa are required to enroll in the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP). Please see below for more information.
The university conducts a survey every three years to ensure that estimates for living expenses are reasonable for the Triangle (Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill) area, including housing, food, and transportation estimated expenses.
For on-campus students, housing is typically the second-largest expense after tuition. Most graduate students rent off-campus housing from private landlords; however, limited on-campus housing is also available for professional and graduate students through Duke Housing & Residence Life. Lancaster Commons is a new apartment complex near campus where graduate and professional students may rent apartments. Applications for 2024-2025 will be accepted beginning April 1, 2024. There is more information at the Lancaster Commons website.
Transportation costs vary significantly depending on where you live and how you plan to get to school. Students should consider various options as part of their cost of attendance. The Duke Parking and Transportation website has additional information. Some areas are close enough to campus to walk and/or bike; some locations are served by campus buses. Students living far enough away from campus to require a car are encouraged to carpool.
Books and supplies are an estimate and will vary depending on course registration and course requirements.
Miscellaneous personal expenses are an estimate of additional expected expenses, such as telephone, not already covered above.
Non-U.S. citizens must provide a statement of support for their visa application. International students must have proof of support for nine months of living expenses. The “Grand Total” for the purpose of obtaining a visa for 2025-2026 is $78,655 including Duke’s student health insurance ($3,705*). Students bringing a spouse or dependent/s must add $12,024^ support for spouse and $6,012^ support per dependent in addition to spouse to their anticipated budget and for whom they must show proof of funding.
*Medical insurance has not yet been confirmed for 2025-2026; amount indicated is a placeholder based on our best estimate. ^Additional support amounts for dependents have not been set for 2025-2026; expect amounts listed to increase slightly.
Hybrid Degree: DEL-MEM
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2025-2026
| Tuition |
$48,088 |
| Fees (details below) |
$120 |
| Total Tuition & Fees |
$48,208 |
| |
|
| Estimated Personal Expenses |
|
| Books & Supplies |
$660 |
| Housing & Food |
$18,162 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses |
$6,337 |
| Transportation |
$2,873 |
| |
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance |
$76,240 |
The estimated cost of attendance listed above is for the 2025-2026 academic year only. Students should anticipate that the cost of attendance will increase for 2026-2027. Tuition, fees, and living expenses will be set in early spring for the academic year.
FEES INCLUDE:
- Transcript fee (one-time fee): $120
Lodging expense includes hotel expenses (or other living arrangements) for each of the five (5) required place-based sessions.
Transportation costs for online DEL-MEM students includes transportation to and from campus and/or Washington D.C. for each of the five (5) required place-based sessions.
Special Cases
Concurrent degree students
Tuition for concurrent degrees will be based on a blended rate of the two schools. Financial aid from the Nicholas School, if awarded, will then be adjusted accordingly. Tuition and financial aid impacts vary depending on whether the additional degree is pursued with another Duke program or if it is at another university (e.g., UNC).
View Tuition and Financial Aid Policy for Concurrent Degree Students
Part-Time Enrollment
Registering for fewer than nine or more than 15 credits in a semester requires special permission. Students who are permitted to enroll part-time (fewer than nine units) will be charged $1,860 per credit unit for the 2020-2021 academic year and $1,860 per audited 3-credit course for non-degree seeking students.
Continuation Registration Fee
All students must be registered, approved for a leave of absence, or pay a minimum continuation registration fee ($400 for 2025-2026) for each semester until their degree is completed. Students who have completed the required semesters and all course requirements except the master's project will be charged the continuation registration fee each semester until their degree is completed.
Summer Session
Summer classes are not included in the flat-fee tuition. If you wish to take additional summer credits, find courses and tuition information at the Duke Summer Session website. Students may also study during the summer at the Duke University Marine Lab.
International Students
Non-U.S. citizens must provide a statement of support for their visa application. International students must have proof of support for nine months of living expenses. The “Grand Total” for the purpose of obtaining a visa for 2025-2026 is $83,269 including Duke’s student health insurance ($3,705). If applicable, an additional $12,024* support for spouse and $6,012* support per dependent in addition to spouse must be included.
*Amounts for 2025-2026 not yet confirmed; expect a slight increase.
