Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Duquesne University #1001 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,467 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Duquesne University in the 68.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Duquesne University #326 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Duquesne University's composite ranking reflects strong outcomes across multiple dimensions. Graduates achieve median earnings four years after enrollment of $74,665, supported by the institution's health-focused program mix and Pittsburgh's moderate cost of living.
Azimuth ranks Duquesne University #1001 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private research university (Carnegie R2) in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University enrolls roughly 5,350 undergraduates. Retention stands at 84.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 77.5%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a mid-sized private institution. Where Duquesne University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Duquesne University #326 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $74,665, and they earn about $2,467 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Duquesne University in the 68.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in health-related fields — a program family that consistently delivers strong early-career earnings and sustained demand in regional and national labor markets. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Duquesne University sits in the 30.9 percentile for access and the 3.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 20.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 17.3% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student population that is less economically diverse than many peer institutions. The institution's tuition and cost structure, while typical for private research universities, shapes affordability outcomes. Mobility outcomes sit in the 58.3 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's access-to-outcomes pipeline differs from institutions that serve broader low-income populations.
Duquesne University's published cost of attendance is $67,776. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $29,986, families in the lower-middle range pay around $31,729, middle-income families pay about $32,102, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $35,611, and higher-income families pay roughly $41,273. Azimuth ranks Duquesne University #1370 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated need and institutional aid policies, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Duquesne University uses the FAFSA to determine need-based aid eligibility. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students. Families should review the institution's financial aid page for current aid policies and to understand how their specific circumstances may affect their aid package. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,244, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $57,511; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $74,665, median federal debt of $26,244 projects to a monthly payment of about $297 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Duquesne University is a strong fit for students interested in health professions and related fields who want a private university experience in Pittsburgh, PA. The university's program mix is concentrated in Health, representing 21% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $74,665, placing Duquesne University in the 74.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $2,467 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 68.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls 20.2% Pell-eligible and 17.3% first-generation students, with a 72.1% completion rate for Pell recipients. The admission rate is 83.6%, making the application process selective. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors health and professional fields, and the $41,273 net price for higher-income families may require financial planning. Students whose interests align with health professions will find strong outcomes in this region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Duquesne University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Duquesne University's published cost of attendance is $67,776. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $29,986, families in the lower-middle range pay around $31,729, middle-income families pay about $32,102, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $35,611, and higher-income families pay roughly $41,273.
Azimuth ranks Duquesne University #1370 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated need and institutional aid policies, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Duquesne University uses the FAFSA to determine need-based aid eligibility. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students. Families should review the institution's [financial aid page](https://www.duq.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid) for current aid policies and to understand how their specific circumstances may affect their aid package.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,244, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $57,511; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $74,665, median federal debt of $26,244 projects to a monthly payment of about $297 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Duquesne University earn median 4-year earnings of $74,665, placing Duquesne University in the 74.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,467 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Duquesne University in the 68.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Duquesne University #326 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Duquesne University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 257 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $84,802, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 109 students earning $70,958 and The Digital Marketing program graduates 105 students earning $66,542.
Teacher Education and Psychology, General round out the top programs, with graduates earning $49,883 and $48,850 respectively. This program portfolio — anchored in Health — positions graduates for stable, in-demand career pathways that align with Pittsburgh's regional healthcare and professional services sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whitworth University Similar quality tier (#27075 ranked) | WA | 29% | $58,561 | #27075 | Compare |
Marist University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#27588 ranked) | NY | 57% | $77,819 | #27588 | Compare |
Marian University Similar quality tier (#26038 ranked) | IN | 95% | $58,759 | #26038 | Compare |
St. John Fisher University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#26034 ranked) | NY | 66% | $66,944 | #26034 | Compare |
Stevenson University Similar quality tier (#26027 ranked) | MD | 79% | $62,079 | #26027 | Compare |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
41 graduates
Health and Medical Administrative Services
5 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
44 graduates
Computer Science
18 graduates
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
30 graduates
Duquesne University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied sciences—a portfolio shaped by the university's Catholic, health-sciences-focused identity in Pittsburgh. Nursing is the largest program with 257 graduates, followed by Biology, General, Digital Marketing, Teacher Education, and Psychology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 1,518 students annually, several deliver strong earnings outcomes aligned with regional healthcare and professional-services demand. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in health and clinical fields.
Artificial Intelligence leads with median earnings of $92,789 four years after enrollment across 44 graduates, followed by Nursing earning $84,802 with 257 graduates and Finance earning $83,781 with 68 graduates. Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions and Biology, General round out the highest-earning cluster, earning $72,059 and $70,958 respectively.
These outcomes reflect the stability and wage growth typical of health professions and professional-services fields in a major metropolitan labor market. Many of Duquesne University's dominant programs are professional-pathway fields where four-year earnings reflect direct labor-market entry—particularly nursing, pharmacy, and clinical health specialties.
Other programs, including psychology and biology-based tracks, often lead to graduate or professional school, where four-year earnings undercount the full trajectory of students pursuing advanced degrees. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional and national labor-market trends in healthcare and related sectors.
