Duquesne University vs. Penn State

Duquesne University and Penn State Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Duquesne University
Penn State Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Penn State (60.6% admitted vs 83.6%). Typical SAT 1330 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State. Average net price is $27,889 vs $37,917 at Duquesne University.
  • Graduation: Duquesne University 73% vs Penn State 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Duquesne University $65,100 vs Penn State $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Duquesne University Penn State Main Campus
Acceptance rate
Penn State more selective
Duquesne University83.6%
Penn State60.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn State higher
Duquesne University1180-1340
Penn State1240-1420
Average net price
Penn State $10,028 less
Duquesne University$37,917
Penn State$27,889
In-state tuition
Penn State $28,342 less
Duquesne University$48,986
Penn State$20,644
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State $7,196 less
Duquesne University$48,986
Penn State$41,790
Graduation rate
Penn State +14 pts
Duquesne University73%
Penn State87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Duquesne University +$9,800
Duquesne University$65,100
Penn State$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Duquesne University 12,893
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • Duquesne University 10,773
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance rate
  • Duquesne University 83.6%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Duquesne University 13.4%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Duquesne University 1260
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Duquesne University 29
  • Penn State 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Duquesne University 3.8
  • Penn State -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Duquesne University A-
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions standards
  • Duquesne University Difficult
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Duquesne University
  • Penn State Low
  • SAT range
  • Duquesne University 1180-1340
  • Penn State 1240-1420
  • ACT range
  • Duquesne University 26-32
  • Penn State 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Duquesne University Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027
  • Penn State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Duquesne University $48,986
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Duquesne University $48,986
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & board
  • Duquesne University $16,374
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Duquesne University $37,917
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average grant aid
  • Duquesne University $29,850
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Duquesne University 100%
  • Penn State 37%
  • Graduation rate
  • Duquesne University 73%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Duquesne University $65,100
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Duquesne University 82%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Duquesne University $27,000
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Duquesne University $279
  • Penn State $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Duquesne University 12:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Duquesne University
    • Business (31%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • Duquesne University Large City
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Duquesne University 8,234
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • Duquesne University Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Duquesne University #190
  • Penn State #185

Comparable Facts

Compare Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than Duquesne University based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 8,234 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Duquesne University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • Duquesne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Duquesne University 12:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 11.6% lower than at Duquesne University ($14,474 vs. $16,374).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at Duquesne University than at Penn State Main Campus (about $7,196 more per year; $48,986 vs. $41,790).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duquesne University than at Penn State Main Campus (100% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 163.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($29,850 vs. $11,336).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Duquesne University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 29) as students at Penn State (29).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Duquesne University and Penn State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Duquesne University vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Main Campus graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Duquesne University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn State graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Duquesne University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
  • More Duquesne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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