Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition
All cost of attendance information should be verified through your intended department and program.
Master of Science (MS)
Most of our Master of Science (MS) students self-fund, although individual programs may have scholarship opportunities. Contact your department of interest for details. MS students are also strongly encouraged to seek external opportunities, such as National Science Foundation awards.
Master of Engineering (MEng)
Most of our Master of Engineering (MEng) students self-fund, although individual programs may have scholarship opportunities. Contact a Master's admission officer at m-eng@duke.edu for details. MEng students are also strongly encouraged to seek external opportunities, such as National Science Foundation awards.
Master of Engineering Management (MEM)
Please see program tuition details for the Master of Engineering Management’s Campus Program. The normal program duration is one year of study (two semesters).
Please see program tuition details for the Master of Engineering Management’s Distance Program. The normal program duration is two years of study (four semesters), with two courses per semester.
Financial Aid
Because many master's degrees are professional degrees rather than research degrees, most students pay their own tuition costs. Many students take out loans and feel there will be an excellent return on investment when they get out into the work force.
In certain circumstances, we provide limited financial aid to MS and MEng students, as detailed below.
Diversity Scholarships
For MS and MEng students, limited financial aid is available to highly qualified candidates through academic scholarships with an emphasis on increasing diversity within our master's degree programs.
Underrepresented minorities may receive up to 50 percent per year in tuition scholarship through our Diversity Scholarships. Additionally, up to $10,000 per year may be allocated for the student to gain experience in a research setting under the direction of a principal investigator (PI).
Externally Funded Scholarships
For MS and MEng students, we also offer support to recipients of select competitive externally funded scholarships, such as:
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellowships
- Fulbright Scholar Program
Fellowships
Some departments will occasionally provide some reduced-tuition assistance, but most of Pratt’s masters students pay through a combination of loans and their own money.
Also see Duke Graduate School Master Student Financial Aid web page.
Federal Loan Programs
Duke University offers the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs for graduate students, including Stafford unsubsidized loans, Graduate PLUS, and Carl Perkins loans. Each of these loans has different terms and conditions, but they are generally deferrable until after graduation or until the student is enrolled for less than half-time.
These federal loans are available only to United States citizens and, generally, only to master’s students, because Ph.D. scholarships and fellowships typically exceed the cost of attendance. Visit the Duke Financial Aid website for more information and application procedures for student loans.
On-Campus Work
While enrolled in the program, many students work in a variety of places, such as campus libraries and various departments within Duke University. Teaching assistantships are available in various departments, and some departments have research assistantships as well.
These positions are paid an hourly rate, and most students work between 10 to 20 hours per week. Positions are generally posted and filled just a week or two before classes begin each semester.
External Funding Opportunities
Browse our extensive list of potential external funding opportunities on our dedicated website for MEng students.