Duquesne University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-optional
  • Early Action
13,270
Applicants
11,464
Admitted86%
1,404
Enrolled
12%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Open access86% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1250
Mid 50: 1130–1333
In-state tuition
$53,238
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$37,730
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #156 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #176 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #44 (tie), Computer Science #276 (tie), Nursing #56 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Duquesne University (see the source), read on 2026-09-24.

Is Duquesne University a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Duquesne University is a private nonprofit university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that admits about 86% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $37,730 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Marketing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 75% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Duquesne University is a private institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For the most recent reporting cycle, Duquesne University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 86%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1250 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $37,730 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Duquesne University?

54% of enrolled students at Duquesne University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.76, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
30.4%
3.75–3.99
24.0%
3.50–3.74
20.0%
3.25–3.49
12.3%
3.00–3.24
9.4%
2.50–2.99
3.5%
Below 2.50
0.3%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Duquesne University.

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What does Duquesne University weight in admissions?

Duquesne University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

3
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Standardized test scores

Important

6
  • Class rank
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

Considered

9
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • First generation status
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment
  • Level of applicant's interest

SAT and ACT scores Duquesne University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–32. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1130
50th percentile1250
75th percentile1333
% submitting SAT14%
ACT Composite
25th percentile25
50th percentile27
75th percentile30
% submitting ACT3%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Recommended

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class28%
Top 25% of class56%
Top 50% of class83%
% submitting class rank39%

How much does Duquesne University actually cost?

Published tuition is $48,986 for in-state students and $48,986 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,374 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $37,730 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$53,238
Room and board$17,796
Average net price (after aid)$37,730
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need73%
Average need-based grant$33,963
Average merit award, no financial need239 first-year students received one$26,166
Graduates who borrowed72%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$57,681
Financial aid formsFAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Duquesne University

Regular admission
Regular deadline8/28
Notification date9/1
Reply deadline5/1
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 15

Will my child graduate from Duquesne University?

These predict outcomes at Duquesne University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
85%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
68.16%
finished on time
6-year graduation
75%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Duquesne University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Duquesne University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Marketing. Across all programs, Duquesne University confers roughly 813 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $82,748 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing257$82,748
Biology, General109$72,885
Marketing105$66,457
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods81$48,793
Psychology, General68$56,080
Finance and Financial Management Services68$78,484
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas63$55,424
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions62$69,960
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Duquesne University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Duquesne University disclosed 9 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
9
1.7 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.19 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
5
0.93 per 1,000
Burglary
2
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 5,350 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Duquesne University?

About 53% of undergraduates at Duquesne University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 15% of men join a fraternity and 21% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
53%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
43%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
1%
of course sections
In fraternities
15%
of men
In sororities
21%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Duquesne University.

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Common questions parents ask about Duquesne University

What GPA do I need for Duquesne University?

54% of enrolled students at Duquesne University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.76, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Duquesne University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–32.

How much does Duquesne University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Duquesne University after grants and scholarships is $37,730 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $48,986. Budget against the net figure.

Is Duquesne University realistic for my child?

Duquesne University admits 86% of applicants, so 580–670 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $37,730 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Duquesne University?

Duquesne University accepts about 86% of applicants out of roughly 13,270 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Duquesne University test-optional?

Yes. Duquesne University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Duquesne University?

About 75% of students at Duquesne University graduate within six years, and 68% finish in four years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Duquesne University look for in applicants?

Duquesne University rates course rigor, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Duquesne University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Duquesne University is a private nonprofit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What are the most popular majors at Duquesne University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Duquesne University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Marketing. The school awards about 813 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Duquesne University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Duquesne University reported 9 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Duquesne University?

At Duquesne University, 53% of undergraduates live on campus, 15% of men are in fraternities, 21% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Duquesne University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers