Is the ROI of Duke MBA worth it when compared with Wharton, considering the difference in fees and average salaries?

Question

Jayant M · Accepted Answer

The ROI of a Duke Fuqua MBA compared with Wharton really comes down to cost versus long-term salary growth. Wharton&rsquo;s tuition and living expenses push the total cost well above $240K, while Fuqua usually ends up around $200K. That $30&ndash;40K difference is significant, especially for international students already budgeting for visas and living costs.
In terms of salaries, Wharton grads report averages around $165K&ndash;$170K, while Fuqua&rsquo;s average is closer to $145K&ndash;$150K. The gap narrows when considering consulting or tech roles, where Fuqua placements are very strong. For someone entering consulting at McKinsey or Bain, the ROI at Fuqua can look nearly identical within a few years because starting packages are similar.
One unique angle with Fuqua is its culture-driven network. The &ldquo;Team Fuqua&rdquo; brand creates tight alumni ties, which often pay off in long-term opportunities &mdash; something not always reflected in salary reports.

B.K Sharma · Answer

Comparing Fuqua and Wharton on ROI isn&rsquo;t just about first-year salaries &mdash; it&rsquo;s about how quickly you recover the investment.
A few things to weigh: &bull; Fuqua&rsquo;s cost is lower by tens of thousands, which reduces debt pressure right away. &bull; Wharton&rsquo;s higher salaries are real, but those numbers are inflated by finance-heavy recruiting. If you&rsquo;re aiming for consulting or tech, Fuqua delivers packages in the same ballpark. &bull; Fuqua&rsquo;s location in Durham also means lower living costs during the program compared to Philadelphia, which further tilts ROI in its favor. &bull; Wharton&rsquo;s global brand opens faster doors in certain regions (like private equity in Asia), while Fuqua&rsquo;s strength shows in U.S. consulting and healthcare management.
One detail often overlooked: scholarship chances at Fuqua are generally stronger, and a sizable award can swing ROI heavily in its favor compared to Wharton&rsquo;s sticker price.
For more details you can read these blogs on "Duke MBA " and "Wharton MBA "

Hema A · Answer

Wharton costs more, but the salaries at graduation are also higher. Total expenses are about $250k&ndash;$260k for two years. In return, consulting and IB roles often pay $175k&ndash;$180k base, plus $30k&ndash;$40k signing bonuses, with many crossing $210k in the first year. Over time, the Wharton brand helps with faster promotions and global career moves, especially in PE and finance.
Fuqua&rsquo;s cost is closer to $220k for the full program. Consulting offers average $165k&ndash;$170k base with about $25k in bonuses, so first-year earnings are closer to $190k. Living in Durham is also cheaper, which means less debt compared to Wharton. ROI is solid if consulting is the main goal, but the international brand reach isn&rsquo;t as strong. Short-term recovery is easier at Fuqua, while Wharton pays off more in the long run.

Ishaan M · Answer

The ROI really depends on what you want after the MBA.

Cost: Around $220k for Fuqua and $250k+ for Wharton. Lower living costs in Durham save students a few thousand dollars each year.
Salary: Wharton grads in consulting earn ~$175k base with ~$35k signing. Banking and PE packages can top $220k. Fuqua consulting grads earn ~$165k base with ~$25k signing, adding up to about $190k.
Scholarships: Fuqua offers more merit scholarships to international students, which can bring the cost down a lot. Wharton scholarships exist but are harder to get.
Payback: Wharton grads often clear loans in 3&ndash;4 years because of higher salaries. Fuqua grads usually take 4&ndash;5 years unless they get a scholarship.

So if the goal is consulting with a lower upfront cost, Fuqua makes sense. If the plan is finance or global roles with higher long-term pay, Wharton has the stronger ROI.