Is Duke MQM worth it in terms of ROI and job outcomes?

Question

V Ritik · Accepted Answer

Duke MQM is generally worth it for ROI and job outcomes, especially for international students aiming at analytics or consulting roles in the U.S. The program costs around $70K in tuition, but most graduates see starting salaries in the $80K&ndash;$90K range. That means payback is realistic within 2&ndash;3 years if you land a solid role.
Recruiters like Amazon, Deloitte, EY, and major banks actively hire from MQM. The STEM designation adds value too &mdash; three years of OPT gives multiple H-1B lottery attempts, which reduces the risk of having to leave after just a year. One factor people don&rsquo;t always consider is the Fuqua alumni network; it&rsquo;s strong across consulting and finance, and that alone helps with job mobility and salary growth over time.

B.K Sharma · Answer

The big question most students ask is whether the Duke MQM price tag actually pays off. The short answer is yes, but with some conditions.
&bull; Average starting salaries land between $80K&ndash;$90K, but consulting roles can go slightly higher, while marketing or operations analytics may sit closer to $70K. &bull; Career services at Fuqua are a strong point &mdash; many students leverage applied projects to land internships that convert to full-time roles. &bull; ROI is clearer if the goal is to stay in the U.S. long-term, since the STEM OPT gives three years to secure sponsorship. &bull; Students with prior internships or some technical experience usually see the fastest payback; those without may take longer to break into top firms. &bull; A unique edge is that Duke MQM grads often use the program as a pathway into MBA-level roles later, making the ROI extend beyond just the first job.