Duquesne University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Duquesne University charges a net price of $37,730/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $150,920. Graduates earn a median $74,742 ten years after entry, $26,382/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.7 years — a 20-year net return of $376,720, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Duquesne University's 5.7-year payback ranks #499 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 61% of them, and #46 of 169 in Pennsylvania.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $37,730/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $150,920 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $74,742 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $26,382/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,244 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $376,720 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Duquesne University's own numbers. Net price $37,730 × 4 years = $150,920 total. Median earnings $74,742 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $26,382 a year of premium. $150,920 ÷ $26,382 = 5.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $376,720. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Duquesne University students graduate with?
A median $26,244 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $74,742 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Duquesne University students graduate?
77% finish their degree. Spread the $150,920 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $196,000 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Duquesne University expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Its $37,730 net price runs $15,989 above the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, or $63,956 more across the full degree.