Duquesne University vs. VCU

Should I go to Duquesne University or Virginia Commonwealth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Duquesne University or VCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Duquesne University vs. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
Duquesne University Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
Duquesne University Virginia Commonwealth University
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Overview

Duquesne University VCU
Location Pittsburgh, PA Richmond, VA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 8,137 28,238
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #191 #469
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website duq.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Duquesne University VCU
Tuition (In State) $47,146 $12,850
Tuition (Out of State) $47,146 $34,744
Room & Board $15,620 $16,119
Avg Net Price $35,125 $22,852
Avg Grant Aid $27,980 $12,433
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Duquesne University VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,112 19,052
Admitted 11,128 17,729
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 93.1%
Enrolled % 13.3% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.75
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/31 22/30
SAT Range 1160/1350 1030/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Jan 18, 2025

Academics

Duquesne University VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (31%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

Duquesne University VCU
Graduation Rate 73% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,100 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $240

Diversity

Duquesne University VCU
% Men 13% 8%
% Women 23% 17%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 81% 50%
% Black 5% 18%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Duquesne University VCU
% In-State 70% 92%
% Out-of-State 27% 6%

Campus

Duquesne University VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than Duquesne University based on total student enrollment (28,238 students vs. 8,137 students)

Duquesne University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne University or VCU?

  • Duquesne University is 266.9% more expensive to attend than VCU for in-state tuition ($47,146.00 vs. $12,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.7% higher at Duquesne University than Virginia Commonwealth University ($47,146.00 vs. $34,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Commonwealth University than Duquesne University ($22,852 vs. $35,125)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duquesne University are 3.2% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,620 vs. $16,119)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Duquesne University than Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 125% larger than aid received Virginia Commonwealth University ($27,980 vs. $12,433)

Duquesne University vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duquesne University or VCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCU or Duquesne University .

  • The average SAT score at Duquesne University (1138) is 41 points higher than at VCU (1097)
  • Incoming Duquesne University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at VCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at VCU (3.75)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than Duquesne University (78.9%)

Duquesne University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Duquesne University or VCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCU and Duquesne University.

  • The graduation rate at Duquesne University is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (73% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Duquesne University earn on average $17,600 more per year than VCU graduates after ten years. ($65,100 vs. $47,500)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Duquesne University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • VCU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Duquesne University graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More Duquesne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/