Overview of Duquesne University

Duquesne University is a private Catholic university founded in 1878 by the congregation of the Holy Spirit. The institution is home to 9 schools of study, and 75 undergraduate majors. A 13-to-1 student/faculty ratio backs its academic programs. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 9,274 (6,013 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 36 percent male/64 percent female
• 98 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $39,992
• Books: $1,400
• Room and Board: $13,088
• Other Expenses: $2,200
• Total Cost: $56,680

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 100 percent
  • Loans: 75 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $21,205
  • Loans: $9,112

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Nursing Science; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Accounting; Early Childhood Education and Teaching; and Finance, General

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 84 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 68 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 78 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Basketball, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Volleyball
• In athletics, the Duquesne Dukes play in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference except for football, which plays in the Northeast Conference.

Overview of Duquesne University Admissions

Duquesne University, which accepts fewer than three-quarters of applicants, has moderately competitive admissions. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures and is test-optional for some students. Contact the admissions office to find out if you need to submit your test scores. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Duquesne University had an acceptance rate of 72%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 72 students gained admission, making Duquesne’s admissions process moderately competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 74% of admitted students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Duquesne’s admitted students fall within the top 35% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Duquesne scored between 580 and 650 on the reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 580, and 25% scored over 650. 50% of students scored between 550 and 640 on the math section, while 25% scored below 550, and 25% scored above 640. Students with a cumulative SAT score of 1290 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Duquesne.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 35% of admitted students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Duquesne’s admitted students fall within the top 26% on the ACT. The middle 50% of students Duquesne received a cumulative ACT score between 24 and 29, while 25% scored over 29, and 25% scored below 24.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of Duquesne University’s freshmen class was 3.76, and over half of students had GPAs of 3.76 and over. Successful applicants have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Duke University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Duke University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York University, Boston University, Boston College, Villanova University, Binghamton University, University of Texas at Dallas

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Duke University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of Notre Dame, Cornell University, Tufts University, Georgetown University, Northeastern University, Emory University, University of Southern California

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Duke University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Chicago, Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University, Columbia University, Harvard College, University of Pennsylvania

Applying to Duke University

Application Deadline: July 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.duq.edu/admissions-and-aid/undergraduate

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.duq.edu/admissions-and-aid/undergraduate/apply-for-admission

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.duq.edu/admissions-and-aid/graduate

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.duq.edu/admissions-and-aid/graduate/apply-to-graduate-school