The MIDP estimated cost of attendance assumes full-time enrollment and includes both direct education costs billed by Duke University for year one of your program and indirect estimated living expenses based on nine months of living off campus in the Durham area.
The MIDP estimated cost of attendance is rounded to the nearest U.S. dollar. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year and are not fixed until approved by the University Board of Trustees, usually in late May. It is important to note that tuition is expected to increase 3-5 percent each year.
This cost of attendance for 2026-2027 estimate is based on the fall and spring terms (9 months).
Estimated Cost of Attendance
| 2026-2027 Cost of Attendance Estimates | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Total 26-27 |
|---|---|---|---|
Tuition & Fees (Direct Expense) | |||
| Sanford MIDP Tuition | 28,854.00 | 28,854.00 | 57,708.00 |
| Student Medical Insurance | 3,866.00 | - | 3,866.00 |
| Health Fee | 523.50 | 523.50 | 1,047.00 |
| MIDP Activity Fee | 52.00 | 52.00 | 104.00 |
| Graduate Activity Fee | 19.00 | 19.00 | 38.00 |
| Graduate Recreational Facility Fee | 204.00 | 204.00 | 408.00 |
| Transcript Fee | 120.00 | - | 120.00 |
| Graduate Student Services Fee | 13.00 | 13.00 | 26.00 |
| Total: Tuition & Fees | 33,651.00 | 29,665.50 | 63,317.00 |
Estimated Educational Supplies (indirect expense) | |||
| Books & Supplies | 338.00 | 338.00 | 676.00 |
| Total: Books & Supplies | 338.00 | 338.00 | 676.00 |
ESTIMATED Living Expenses (indirect expense) | |||
| Board (Food) | 2,214.00 | 2,214.00 | 4,428.00 |
| Housing + Utilities | 7,110.00 | 7,110.00 | 14,220 |
| Miscellaneous | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500 |
| Transportation | 1,070.00 | 10,70.00 | 2,142.00 |
| Total: Estimated Living Expenses | 12,645.00 | 12,645.00 | 25,290.00 |
TOTAL estimated COST OF ATTENDANCE 26-27 | 46,634.50 | 42,648.50 | 89,283.00 |
Summer classes are optional, and can be especially helpful for those on the accelerated track.
| Estimated Summer Costs | |
|---|---|
Tuition (2 courses @ $2,405 per credit) | $14,863 |
| Student Health Fee | $315 |
| Total: Summer Tuition & Fees | $15,188 |
As you review the estimated cost of attendance for Duke’s MIDP program, we encourage you to adjust these estimates based on your individual circumstances and to research the cost of living in Durham, North Carolina. Durham is an energetic and welcoming city that offers the opportunities and cultural vibrancy of a major metropolitan area. According to publicly available cost-of-living data compiled by Forbes, income generally goes further in Durham for everyday expenses and housing compared to higher-cost cities such as New York, Washington, D.C. or San Francisco. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is another reliable source for regional economic and pricing data.
Traditional Pathway vs. Accelerated Pathway
Please keep in mind that students pursuing the MIDP Traditional Pathway should expect to complete their degree in four semesters. The majority of students complete their internship over the summer.
Individuals applying to the Accelerated Pathway have the option of completing the program in either 12 months or 18 months.
Below are some examples of the possible sequencing students can pursue, keeping in mind that MIDP offers both fall-start and spring-start admissions.
- Traditional:
- Fall semester, spring semester, summer internship, fall semester, spring semester
- Accelerated:
- 12-months: Spring semester, summer session, fall semester
- 18-months: Spring semester, fall semester, spring semester
Students electing to enroll in summer courses usually take one or two classes.
For detailed information about course sequencing, please visit the MIDP homepage or reach out to MIDP admissions to ask any questions.
Students must enroll in a minimum of 9 course credits to be considered full-time. The majority of MIDP students enroll in 12 course credits, which usually includes four courses each fall and spring semester to stay on track for graduation. Lecture classes are generally three credits per course, while Sanford also offers some mini-seminar courses that are 1.5 credits each.
For Students Requiring a Visa
For international students:
Duke Visa Services (DVS) is required to verify that you have evidence of funding that meets or exceeds the estimated student expenses for the first year of your degree program, which for most programs is nine months long.
International students will require a Form I-20 (for an F-1 visa) or a Form DS-2019 (for a J-1 visa). Duke Visa Services is unable to issue these documents unless a student is able to demonstrate funding for living expenses at a minimum of US $2,200/month for a single person. Additional proof of funding is required if students will be accompanied by a spouse and/or children. The minimum amount of funding that must be demonstrated for a spouse is $850/month and the amount for each child is $450/month excluding health insurance.
Proof of Funding:
- Must be in English or with an official translation (cannot be self-translated)
- Must reflect liquid assets - no real estate, stocks/bonds, or salary to be earned
- Must identify the source, funding amount, type of currency, and dates of coverage
- Must be current (4 months old or less)
- Must be original (Refer to Additional Suggestions below)
Examples of Acceptable Proof of Funds:
- Personal (checking/savings account statements)
- Family funds (checking/savings account statements)*
- Scholarship award letters from home university
- Scholarship/Fellowship/Assistantship letters from Duke University
- Government grant/award letters
- Employer sponsorship letter
*If a family member is sponsoring you, then you will also need to provide a sponsorship letter/statement from the sponsor confirming their relation to you, their intent to sponsor you, the amount they are sponsoring, and the duration of their sponsorship.
All financial documents must state:
- Name of account holder
- Date(s)
- Amount of available funds (final balance)
- Currency of funds
- Funding source (savings, checking, stocks, etc.)
- Name of bank
For F-1 status, proof of funding is required for the first year of your degree program. For J-1 status, proof of funding is required for the full length of the degree program. You must also prove you have the additional funds required for family members to be issued dependent visa documents.
The table below displays the proof of minimum funding amounts required for an individual for the 26-27 academic year (nine months).
| Category | Required funding |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $63,317.00 |
| Books | $676.00 |
| Living Expenses | $21,500.00 |
| Total | $85,493.00 |
If a student is accompanied by a spouse or dependent, additional proof of funds will be required to account for minimum estimated living expenses:
For the 26-27 academic year (nine months):
| Category | Required funding |
|---|---|
| Spouse | $8,500.00 |
| Per Child | $6,323.00 |
Health Insurance
All students are required to maintain adequate medical insurance during their enrollment at Duke University. You must complete either the enrollment or waiver process within the open enrollment period. Failure to do so will result in a delay in coverage or a charge for insurance you do not need.
Duke offers a Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) designed to meet the needs of students who have no insurance or who have inadequate insurance coverage in the Durham, NC area. Please review your coverage. While it may be acceptable for a waiver, it may not provide the kind of security and coverage provided by our student plan, which is tailored to a Duke students specific needs.
If you are an international student holding an F1 or J1 visa, enrollment in the SMIP is mandatory.
The Duke SMIP is underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina. Student insurance plans with BCBS are identified as Student Blue.
The annual cost of for all eligible students for the 2026-2027 plan year is $3,866.*
For dependents, the annual premium rates are as follows:
- Add Spouse, $3,751.56* (in addition to the student premium)
- Add Child(ren), $3,577.74* (in addition to the student premium)
- Add Family, $7625.61* (in addition to the student premium)
A portion of the cost of the SMIP is retained by Duke University to pay for administrative costs incurred by the University and for reserve funds. Any portion of the cost of the plan retained by Duke University is encumbered solely for the purpose of funding plan expenses or the equitable and non-discriminatory benefit of plan participants.
*Rates pending regulatory approval.
Duke has partnered with Aetna Student Health to provide an enhanced dental plan for students. The Aetna dental plan provides 100% coverage (up to the policy limits) at Campus Smiles and all In-network providers. This plan can be used nationwide.
Domestic Students
- Domestic (non-PhD) students must Opt-in to dental coverage. You will not be automatically enrolled.
- Domestic (non-PhD) students can choose to Opt-in to the Aetna Dental plan by visiting the Duke student health site. Student Dental Premium will be billed to your student account. You can enroll your eligible dependents on the Duke student health site as well.
- If you do not wish to enroll in the Aetna dental plan, no action is required. Only students who Opt-in to coverage will be enrolled and billed for the plan.
International Students
- International students will be automatically enrolled in the Duke dental plan through Aetna unless you Opt-out of coverage by the established deadline.
- International students are automatically enrolled in the Aetna dental plan. The premium is billed to your student account. You may enroll your eligible dependents online at the Duke student health site.
- If you do not wish to be enrolled in the Aetna dental plan, Opt-out of coverage online at the Duke student health site.
Important Information
- The Annual cost of coverage is $353.00
- Coverage effective the academic year (usually Aug ust 1 through July 31)
- There is no deductible
- $2,000 benefit maximum
- In-network clinic on site at Duke
- The online enrollment site will be live between mid-June and mid-September.
Note: enrollment and opt-out applications must be completed and submitted online by 11:59 pm on September 14, 2026.
Resources
We have collected a wide variety of resources to help you fund your education. Explore an extensive list of resources for international students and more.