Duquesne University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Duquesne University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (8,234 students vs. 315 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duquesne University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Duquesne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duquesne University 12:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre than Duquesne University ($16,621 vs. $37,917).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 6.7% lower than at Duquesne University ($15,274 vs. $16,374).
• Duquesne University is 243% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $34,706 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.1% higher at Duquesne University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $24,980 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duquesne University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 206.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($29,850 vs. $9,742).

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duquesne University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes-Barre and Duquesne University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duquesne University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 1180/1340; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duquesne University - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Duquesne University (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Duquesne University vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Duquesne University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duquesne University and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Duquesne University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes Barre graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Duquesne University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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.