Duke Math Graduates Earn Top U.S. Salaries
Data shows Duke University mathematics alumni lead the nation in median earnings four years after graduation.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Mathematics
Live Poll
Would you prioritize high future earning potential over your personal interest when choosing a college major?
Duke University mathematics graduates earned the highest median salary of any bachelor's program in the United States, reaching $297,029 four years after leaving school. This figure represents a significant lead over other top-tier institutions according to new College Scorecard data.
Why it matters
The federal government requires undergraduate programs to prove that alumni earnings significantly exceed those of high school graduates. This data helps demonstrate the economic value of specific university programs under federal accountability standards.
The median salary of $297,029 is based on 17 graduates from the 2018 and 2019 classes who received federal financial aid. The dataset excludes any graduates currently enrolled in further schooling or not actively working.
The players
Duke University
A private research university in Durham that maintains the top-ranked mathematics bachelor's program for graduate earnings.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
A prestigious private research university in Cambridge known for its intensive science, engineering, and mathematics curriculum.
Carnegie Mellon University
A global research university in Pittsburgh that is consistently ranked among the best for computer science and technical degrees.
Department of Education
The federal agency responsible for managing the College Scorecard tool used to track student earnings and institutional outcomes.
The details
Calculated by the Department of Education, the figures highlight how select cohorts at top institutions compare to their peers, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology math graduates who earned a median of $174,951. Carnegie Mellon University computer science graduates earned a median of $268,121 for comparison.
Timeline
2018-2019: Graduation years for the cohort analyzed in the study.
- 2026-10-27
Publication date of the earnings data release.
The Big Picture
This earnings report directly supports the transparency mandates established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation requires universities to prove the financial benefit of their degrees compared to a high school education, marking a shift toward outcome-based institutional accountability.
Prospective students can use this verified earnings data to weigh the potential long-term financial return of different undergraduate majors. It serves as a tool for families to compare the economic outcomes of specific degree programs across various elite institutions.
The takeaway
Choosing a major remains one of the most significant financial decisions a student makes during their academic career. Utilizing official government data can help students manage expectations regarding post-graduation income potential.
Further reading
For more information on national trends in degree outcomes, visit United States Mathematics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Duke Chronicle.
Live Poll
Would you prioritize high future earning potential over your personal interest when choosing a college major?
