Duquesne University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duquesne University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (8,234 students vs. 4,478 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duquesne University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Duquesne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duquesne University 12:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne University or Penn State Harrisburg? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Harrisburg than Duquesne University ($23,788 vs. $37,917).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 11.6% lower than at Duquesne University ($14,474 vs. $16,374).
• Duquesne University is 206.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $33,014 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.7% higher at Duquesne University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $22,028 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duquesne University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 222.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($29,850 vs. $9,245).

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duquesne University or Penn State Harrisburg? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Harrisburg and Duquesne University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duquesne University (1260) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Duquesne University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 1180/1340; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 26/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duquesne University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Duquesne University (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Duquesne University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duquesne University and Penn State Harrisburg? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Duquesne University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Duquesne University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Duquesne University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.