Duquesne University vs. WCU

Deciding between Duquesne University and West Chester University of Pennsylvania? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Duquesne University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
  • WCU West Chester, PA
  • Setting
  • Duquesne University Large City
  • WCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Duquesne University 8,234
  • WCU 17,171
  • Type
  • Duquesne University Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Duquesne University #190
  • WCU #505
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Duquesne University Roman Catholic
  • WCU -
  • Status
  • Duquesne University Non-profit
  • WCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Duquesne University
  • WCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Duquesne University $48,986
  • WCU $10,775
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Duquesne University $48,986
  • WCU $22,599
  • Room & Board
  • Duquesne University $16,374
  • WCU $14,828
  • Average Net Price
  • Duquesne University $37,917
  • WCU $22,546
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Duquesne University $29,850
  • WCU $5,709
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Duquesne University 100%
  • WCU 73%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Duquesne University 12,893
  • WCU 17,193
  • Admitted
  • Duquesne University 10,773
  • WCU 13,479
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Duquesne University 83.6%
  • WCU 78.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Duquesne University 13.4%
  • WCU 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Duquesne University 1260
  • WCU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Duquesne University 29
  • WCU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Duquesne University 3.8
  • WCU 3.43
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Duquesne University A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Duquesne University Difficult
  • WCU Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Duquesne University
  • WCU
  • ACT Range
  • Duquesne University 26/32
  • WCU 24/28
  • SAT Range
  • Duquesne University 1180/1340
  • WCU 1100/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Duquesne University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027
  • WCU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Duquesne University 12:1
  • WCU 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Duquesne University
    • Business (31%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • WCU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Duquesne University 73%
  • WCU 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Duquesne University $65,100
  • WCU $49,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Duquesne University 82%
  • WCU 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Duquesne University $27,000
  • WCU $23,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Duquesne University $279
  • WCU $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Duquesne University 37%
  • WCU 40%
  • % Women
  • Duquesne University 63%
  • WCU 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Duquesne University Low
  • WCU Low
  • HBCU
  • Duquesne University No
  • WCU No
  • % White
  • Duquesne University 81%
  • WCU 78%
  • % Asian
  • Duquesne University 2%
  • WCU 2%
  • % Black
  • Duquesne University 5%
  • WCU 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Duquesne University 3%
  • WCU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Duquesne University 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Duquesne University 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Duquesne University 3%
  • WCU 3%
  • % International
  • Duquesne University 4%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Duquesne University 1%
  • WCU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Duquesne University 73%
  • WCU 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Duquesne University 25%
  • WCU 13%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Duquesne University Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Duquesne University No
  • WCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Duquesne University Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Duquesne University Yes
  • WCU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Duquesne University Yes
  • WCU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Duquesne University based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 8,234 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Duquesne University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Duquesne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Duquesne University 12:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Duquesne University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne University or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Duquesne University ($22,546 vs. $37,917).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 9.4% lower than at Duquesne University ($14,828 vs. $16,374).
  • Duquesne University is 354.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $38,211 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $10,775.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 116.8% higher at Duquesne University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $26,387 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $22,599.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duquesne University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 422.9% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($29,850 vs. $5,709).

Duquesne University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duquesne University or WCU? 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 WCU and Duquesne University.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duquesne University (1260) is 70 points higher than at WCU (1190).
  • Incoming Duquesne University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 26 at WCU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 1180/1340; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Duquesne University 26/32; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duquesne University - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at WCU (3.43).
  • Duquesne University has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than WCU (78.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Duquesne University vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Duquesne University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duquesne University and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
  • Graduates from Duquesne University earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Duquesne University graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Duquesne University graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Duquesne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 75%)

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.