Duquesne University vs. SPU

Should I go to Duquesne University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Duquesne University or SPU 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. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Duquesne University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Duquesne University Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

Duquesne University SPU
Location Pittsburgh, PA Seattle, WA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 8,107 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #212 #270
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website duq.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Duquesne University SPU
Tuition (In State) $45,376 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $45,376 $36,504
Room & Board $14,744 $14,409
Avg Net Price $33,919 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $26,800 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 99%

Admission

Duquesne University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,376 3,895
Admitted 10,828 3,533
Acceptance Rate 87.5% 90.7%
Enrolled % 13.3% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 20/27
SAT Range 1160/1330 1080/1350
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 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

Duquesne University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (31%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Duquesne University SPU
Graduation Rate 73% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $65,100 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $279 $264

Diversity

Duquesne University SPU
% Men 36% 31%
% Women 64% 69%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 61%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 8%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Duquesne University SPU
% In-State 74% 71%
% Out-of-State 24% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Duquesne University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (8,107 students vs. 3,118 students)

Duquesne University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne University or SPU?

  • Duquesne University is 24.3% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($45,376.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.3% higher at Duquesne University than Seattle Pacific University ($45,376.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than Duquesne University ($26,549 vs. $33,919)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 2.3% lower than costs at Duquesne University ($14,409 vs. $14,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than Duquesne University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 5.7% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($26,800 vs. $25,359)

Duquesne University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 7 points higher than at Duquesne University (1138)
  • Incoming Duquesne University students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at SPU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Duquesne University (87.5%)

Duquesne University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Duquesne University or SPU? 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 SPU and Duquesne University.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Duquesne University (74% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from Duquesne University earn on average $14,700 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($65,100 vs. $50,400)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,397 lower median federal student loan debt than Duquesne University graduates. ($25,603 vs. $27,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Duquesne University graduates. ($264 vs. $279)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Duquesne University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 82%)

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