Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 83.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Duquesne University is a private Catholic institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, enrolling about 5,350 undergraduates on a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River. Sticker tuition is $48,986, but average net price is $37,730 - relatively high by comparison, with even the lowest-income bracket paying $29,986. Duquesne earns a Strong Value ROI score of 75, supported by a 77.5% graduation rate, a 7.3-year payback period, median six-year earnings of $54,500, and a strong 87.8% repayment rate. The university's health sciences, pharmacy, and STEM programs generate the highest returns, with Allied Health diagnostic graduates reaching $105,387 at four years. Business and nursing are high-volume programs with solid but not exceptional ROI grades. Psychology, arts, and history programs carry D grades. Duquesne's Pittsburgh location is a genuine asset: the city's health system corridor, tech growth, and corporate presence create real placement opportunities across the university's program range.
Duquesne University scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Duquesne University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $48,986/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $48,986/yr |
| Average net price | $37,730/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $150,920 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,742 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $54,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,244 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $278 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 77.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,350 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $48,986/year. Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $37,730/year, or roughly $150,920 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $29,986/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $41,273/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $26,244 in federal loans, which works out to about $278 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $74,742 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.48, comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $29,986 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $31,729 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,102 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,611 |
| $110,001+ | $41,273 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $29,986 net - Duquesne's lowest-income price is the highest absolute net price in this cohort at that bracket. The 7.3-year payback and 87.8% repayment rate are institutional strengths, but the absolute cost is a meaningful barrier. Low-income students should compare Duquesne's aid package against in-state public options like Penn State or Pitt and use the net price calculator before committing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001 - $75,000 band pays $31,729 - $32,102. At this cost, Duquesne's value case requires a B-grade or better program and a committed graduation plan. The 77.5% graduation rate is encouraging, but middle-income families face four years of $31,000+ investment against uncertain early-career salaries in lower-ROI programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Above $75,000, families pay $35,611 - $41,273. At these cost levels, Duquesne competes with Villanova, Gonzaga, and other ranked Catholic institutions. The 10-year median of $74,742 and 87.8% repayment rate justify the premium for health sciences and STEM, but liberal arts students face a harder case.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Duquesne University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $84,802 | B |
| Marketing | $66,542 | C |
| Psychology | $48,850 | D |
| Biology | $70,958 | D |
| Finance and Financial Management | $83,781 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $49,883 | C |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $64,538 | C |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $92,789 | B+ |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $72,059 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,822 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment is Duquesne's highest-earning program, graduating 42 students with four-year earnings of $105,387 and a B+ grade at a 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio. This likely encompasses sonography and other imaging professions. The combination of high post-graduation wages and moderate debt makes this one of the most efficient programs in Duquesne's portfolio.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering graduates 26 students with four-year earnings of $88,272 and a B+ ROI grade at a 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio. Pittsburgh's medical device and research infrastructure - driven by UPMC and Carnegie Mellon partnerships - makes Duquesne BME graduates competitive in a premium job market.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is Duquesne's largest program at 259 graduates with year-one earnings of $70,265 and $84,802 at four years. A B grade and 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio against $27,000 median debt are reasonable for a private university nursing program. Pittsburgh's health system - one of the largest in Pennsylvania - provides robust post-graduation employment.
Computer and Information Sciences
CIS graduates 49 students with year-one earnings of $64,914 and $92,789 at four years. A B+ grade and 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio confirm strong performance. Duquesne's Pittsburgh location in a growing tech corridor enhances placement prospects for computer science graduates relative to more isolated private institutions.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance graduates 66 students with year-one earnings of $59,878 and $83,781 at four years, earning a C+ grade. The 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio is the weak link; graduates carry $27,000 in median debt against a first-year salary that produces a manageable but imperfect ratio. Four-year earnings show strong upside for persistent professionals.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 85.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 87.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 84.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Duquesne University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 83.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 580-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-670 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 26-32 |
| Enrollment | 5,350 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,204 |
Duquesne admits about 84% of applicants. The middle 50% ACT runs 26 - 32 and SAT 580 - 670, indicating a solidly prepared applicant pool. Merit scholarships are available. Given the $37,730 net price, applicants should request a detailed aid estimate and compare outcomes against Penn State's lower-cost campuses and Pitt's in-state rates before deciding.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peers include Butler University and University of St. Thomas - MN, both strong Catholic private institutions with similar size and mission. Duquesne's repayment rate of 87.8% and graduation rate of 77.5% compare favorably. Its Allied Health and BME programs are distinct differentiators tied to Pittsburgh's health-system infrastructure. Butler's lower net price in some income brackets and Gonzaga's stronger national brand visibility are factors students should weigh.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne University (this school) | 75 | $37,730 | $74,742 |
| University of St Thomas | 81 | $29,155 | $73,739 |
| Gonzaga University | 81 | $35,119 | $78,892 |
| Butler University | 79 | $36,041 | $77,235 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Duquesne suits students who want a faith-grounded Catholic education in an urban setting with strong health-sciences infrastructure. The 84% admissions rate makes it accessible; ACT 26 - 32 and SAT 580 - 670 reading/math describe a well-prepared mid-range admit. Students targeting Allied Health, biomedical engineering, nursing, or computer science have access to programs with documented strong ROI at B to B+ grades. Students in arts, humanities, or social sciences face a higher price-to-return tension given the $37,730 net price.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, Duquesne University pays off. You'd pay about $37,730 a year after aid ($150,920 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $74,742 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 7.3 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: its 77.5% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $26,244 against $74,742 in earnings is reasonable, though your major matters a lot here. Graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Duquesne University: Common Questions
Is Duquesne University worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Duquesne University pays off. It scores 75/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $37,730 a year after aid ($150,920 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $74,742 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 7.3 years to earn back.
How much does Duquesne University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - what students actually pay after grants and scholarships - is about $37,730 a year, or roughly $150,920 over four years. That is the number to plan around, not the sticker price. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Duquesne University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $74,742 ten years after enrolling, roughly $32,942 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Duquesne University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 7.3 years for Duquesne University. Most four-year schools we track land between 4 and 10 years.
How much debt do Duquesne University graduates take on?
Median debt at graduation is about $26,244, against $74,742 in typical earnings a decade out. That is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Duquesne University?
The six-year graduation rate is 77.5%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.