Spelman vs. Duquesne University

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duquesne University is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (8,234 students vs. 3,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Duquesne University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duquesne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Duquesne University 12:1.

Spelman vs. Duquesne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Duquesne University? 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 Duquesne University than Spelman ($37,917 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duquesne University are 9.5% lower than at Spelman College ($16,374 vs. $18,091).
• Duquesne University is 55.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $17,430 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.2% higher at Duquesne University than at Spelman College (about $17,430 more per year; $48,986.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duquesne University than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 181.2% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($29,850 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Duquesne University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Duquesne University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Duquesne University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spelman College 1108/1320; Duquesne University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spelman College 22/29; Duquesne University 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Duquesne University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Duquesne University Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Spelman (3.75).
• Duquesne University has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 13.4% at Duquesne University.

Spelman vs. Duquesne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Duquesne University? 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.

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Duquesne University's (73%).
• Graduates from Duquesne University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Spelman graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,100 vs. $51,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duquesne University and Spelman graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Duquesne University and Spelman graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Duquesne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 47%)

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.