Statistics at Duke University

Duke's statistics graduates command nearly $100,000 right out of college—a figure that places them in the 95th percentile nationally and beats even NC State by nearly $45,000. Within North Carolina, where the median statistics graduate earns $76,000, Duke ranks in the 80th percentile, confirming its premium positioning isn't just about the brand. The program costs remarkably little in debt terms ($13,500 versus the national median of $20,150), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.14—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under two months of salary.

However, the sample size here is small, likely under 30 graduates, which means a few high earners in finance or tech could be skewing these numbers upward. The 17% earnings growth to year four is solid but not explosive, suggesting these aren't primarily graduates catching startup lottery tickets. Still, even accounting for statistical noise, the fundamental story holds: Duke's statistics program combines elite-level outcomes with surprisingly manageable debt.

For families who can navigate Duke's 7% admission rate and afford the net price after aid, this represents an excellent return. The debt load is low enough that even if your child doesn't land a top-tier role immediately, the financial risk remains contained. Just recognize these stellar numbers may not represent every graduate's experience.