Our tuition, calibrated specially for our program, is lower than that of many other Duke graduate programs. We offer full- and part-time study so that students may choose the option that best fits their circumstances.
Students may qualify for limited small merit aid awards upon entry, and a monthly payment plan is available to all students. Duke employees may use their tuition benefit towards the cost of the program. Other forms of aid might also apply.
Tuition in GLS is set independently from that of the rest of The Graduate School and is based on a per unit (also referred to as a "credit") rate. GLS students have the option of part- or full-time study three semesters (fall, spring, summer) per year. Tuition rates are subject to change each year but typically increase by no more than 4% annually. Tuition for the 2025-26 academic year is $1,487 per unit (also referred to as a "credit"), or $4,461 per 3-unit course.
In addition to tuition, all students pay a one-time Transcript Fee. Full-time students also must pay the following fees: the Health Fee, the Graduate Student Services Fee, the Activity Fee, the Recreation Fee, plus Health Insurance. If a student is not enrolled in courses during the fall or spring terms, they must register in Continuation (CTN) and pay a $200 Continuation Fee. This ensures that a student is continuously registered in The Graduate School.
Depending upon placement exam results, most international students whose first language is not English are also required to take an additional one or two English for International Students courses. These pass-fail courses do not count towards the GLS degree, but are charged at the same per-unit rate as other GLS courses, so please factor that into your total tuition costs.
Below is the 2025-2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance table for full-time students based on a full course load of 9 units (3 courses) each in the fall and spring terms. Part-time students may take one or two courses per term at the cost of $4,461 per 3-unit course.
2025–2026 ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE FOR DOMESTIC MASTER'S STUDENTS (GLS ONLY)
| Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | 9 Months | |
| Tuition | $13,383 | $13,383 | $26,766 |
| Health Fee* | $504 | $504 | $1,008 |
| Transcript Fee | $120 | $120 | |
| Graduate Student Serv. Fee | $13 | $13 | $26 |
| Recreation Fee | $195 | $195 | $390 |
| Activity Fee | $19 | $19 | $38 |
| Health Insurance | $3,565 | $3,565 | |
| Total - Tuition/Fees* | $17,799 | $14,114 | $31,913 |
| Books & Supplies | $330 | $330 | $660 |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $888 | $888 | $1,776 |
| Housing | $6,152 | $7,690 | $13,842 |
| Food | $1,920 | $2,400 | $4,320 |
| Local Transportation | $928 | $1,160 | $2,088 |
| Personal & Misc | $1,944 | $2,430 | $4,374 |
| Total - Living Expense | $12,162 | $14,898 | $27,060 |
| TOTAL Estimated COA Spring/Fall/9 Months | $29,961 | $29,012 | $58,973 |
2025–2026 ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL MASTER'S STUDENTS (GLS ONLY)
| Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | 9 Months | |
| Tuition | $13,383 | $13,383 | $26,766 |
| Health Fee* | $504 | $504 | $1,008 |
| Transcript Fee | $120 | $120 | |
| Graduate Student Serv Fee | $13 | $13 | $26 |
| Recreation Fee | $195 | $195 | $390 |
| Activity Fee | $19 | $19 | $38 |
| Health Insurance | $3,565 | $3,565 | |
| Total - Tuition/Fees* | $17,799 | $14,114 | $31,913 |
| Books & Supplies | $330 | $330 | $660 |
| Housing | $6,152 | $7,690 | $13,842 |
| Food | $1,920 | $2,400 | $4,320 |
| Local Transportation | $928 | $1,160 | $2,088 |
| Personal & Misc | $1,944 | $2,430 | $4,374 |
| Total - Living Expense | $11,274 | $14,010 | $25,284 |
| TOTAL Estimated COA Spring/Fall/9 Months | $29,073 | $28,124 | $57,197 |