Duke Math Graduates Earned Top Median Income

Federal earnings data revealed the highest median salaries for recent university graduates by major.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a mathematical compass and drafting tool on a clean surface, representing high-earning graduate degrees. — Recent federal data reveals that Duke University mathematics graduates achieved the highest median income among all undergraduate majors four years after finishing their degrees. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Duke math graduates earned a median income of $297,029 four years after graduation, according to 2026 federal data. This figure represents the highest median salary for any university major reported under new transparency requirements.

Why it matters

The earnings data provides transparency for students and families evaluating the financial return on investment for specific degree programs. These federal reporting requirements were established to hold schools and programs accountable for student outcomes.

Duke math graduates reported a median income of $297,029 based on a sample of 17 graduates. Carnegie Mellon computer science and engineering majors followed with median incomes of $268,121 and $250,168 respectively.

The players

The HEA Group

This organization specializes in analyzing and publishing higher education data.

Duke University

Located in Durham, North Carolina, this institution led the list for median graduate income.

Carnegie Mellon University

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this university appeared three times in the top 30 highest-earning major list.

The details

The data released by The HEA Group captures earnings for graduates four years after completing their degrees. This publication follows a 2025 law that mandates government transparency regarding graduate financial outcomes.

The data collection period for graduates began in 2017.
The dataset includes students who graduated in 2019.
New federal transparency legislation was passed in 2025.
Earnings data was sorted and published by the HEA Group in 2026.

Roadmap

This earnings data follows the broader trajectory of the federal College Scorecard in standardizing institutional reporting. It marks a shift toward data-driven accountability in higher education, mirroring the growing trend of transparent outcomes analysis in the private sector.

Prospective students can use these figures to better understand the long-term financial implications of choosing specific majors at different universities. This data aids in making informed decisions about student debt and future salary expectations.

The takeaway

Students should consider both major and institutional track records when evaluating the financial outcomes of a university degree. Focusing on verifiable salary data can help mitigate future economic risks associated with higher education costs.