Duquesne University vs York College of Pennsylvania: which has better ROI?
Duquesne University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $150,920 in 5.7 years versus 5.9 years at York College of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $74,742 vs $61,012 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Duquesne University | York College of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,730 | $18,556 |
| Total net cost | $150,920 | $74,224 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $74,742 | $61,012 |
| Median debt | $26,244 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | 5.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $376,720 | $178,816 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Duquesne University or York College of Pennsylvania?
York College of Pennsylvania, at $18,556 a year after aid versus $37,730 — a gap of $19,174 a year, or $76,696 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Duquesne University or York College of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?
Duquesne University graduates report a median $74,742 ten years after entry, $13,730 more than the $61,012 at York College of Pennsylvania. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Duquesne University or York College of Pennsylvania?
York College of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $26,244 at Duquesne University, a difference of $244. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Duquesne University, against 64% at York College of Pennsylvania. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.