Duquesne University vs. WCU

Should I go to Duquesne University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Duquesne University or WCU 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. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Duquesne University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Duquesne University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

Duquesne University WCU
Location Pittsburgh, PA West Chester, PA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 8,107 17,275
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #212 #496
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website duq.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Duquesne University WCU
Tuition (In State) $45,376 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $45,376 $19,290
Room & Board $14,744 $14,228
Avg Net Price $33,919 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $26,800 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 64%

Admission

Duquesne University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,376 14,778
Admitted 10,828 12,982
Acceptance Rate 87.5% 87.8%
Enrolled % 13.3% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.43
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/31 23/30
SAT Range 1160/1330 1080/1260
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

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

Duquesne University WCU
% Men 36% 39%
% Women 64% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 78%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Duquesne University WCU
% In-State 74% 87%
% Out-of-State 24% 12%

Campus

Duquesne University WCU
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

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Duquesne University based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 8,107 students)

Duquesne University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duquesne University or WCU?

  • Duquesne University is 488.1% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($45,376.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 135.2% higher at Duquesne University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($45,376.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Duquesne University ($22,973 vs. $33,919)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 3.6% lower than costs at Duquesne University ($14,228 vs. $14,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Duquesne University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (95% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 392.4% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($26,800 vs. $5,443)

Duquesne University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Duquesne University (1138) is 66 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming Duquesne University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Duquesne University (87.5%)

Duquesne University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Duquesne University is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (73% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Duquesne University earn on average $16,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($65,100 vs. $49,000)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Duquesne University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans 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/