Duquesne University
Duquesne University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Duquesne University at a Glance
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of 40 students and a faculty of six. In 1911, the college became the first Catholic university-level institution in Pennsylvania. It is named for an 18th-century governor of New France, Michel-Ange Duquesne…
1878
148 years old
$740M
$739.9 million (2025)
8,294
5,406 undergrad · 2,888 grad
50 acres
Identity
Is Duquesne University Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Duquesne University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $74,742 — 39% above average — while paying $37,730/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 77% graduation rate means roughly 24% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Duquesne University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Duquesne University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #36 of 56 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #4 | University of Portland | 59 | $28,210 | $82,804 |
| #5 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #6 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | 58 | $29,689 | $86,881 |
| #36 | Duquesne University | 38 | $37,730 | $74,742 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Duquesne University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in PA.
Best Programs at Duquesne University
The highest-earning program at Duquesne University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $20,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Duquesne University earns $59,600, while a Music graduate earns $20,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $19,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $37,730/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,600 | $59,600 | $19,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $58,200 | $58,200 | $27,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $56,500 | $56,500 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,900 | $48,900 | $26,298 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,200 | $48,200 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,300 | $45,300 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics | $40,600 | $40,600 | $27,000 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $39,800 | $39,800 | N/A |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $39,300 | $39,300 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $37,500 | $37,500 | $26,281 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,900 | $34,900 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,800 | $34,800 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $32,500 | $32,500 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,700 | $30,700 | $27,000 |
| Journalism | $29,600 | $29,600 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $26,971 |
| Psychology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $25,000 |
| Music | $20,000 | $20,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Student Body
- 5,350 students
- Admission Rate
- 84%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $37,730
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $74,742
- Median Student Debt
- $26,244