Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
78.9% Acceptance Rate
Duquesne University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
78.9%Acceptance Rate
3.8Avg GPA
1257Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$63,042Annual Cost
$74,742Grad Salary
18.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.9%
Avg GPA
3.8
Avg SAT
1257
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1160–1350
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Need-Based Aid
18.1% receive Pell
Duquesne University is a private, Catholic, Spiritan university in Pennsylvania known for its commitment to academic excellence, research, and service. Offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a dynamic campus environment that encourages innovation, leadership, and professional development. Its focus on providing a transformative, high-value education makes it a top-tier choice for students seeking to achieve their academic and professional goals in a values-based setting.
Duquesne University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Duquesne University is inclusive by design. 78.9% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 78.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.35
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Duquesne University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Duquesne University (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 114 days left — Early Action
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Duquesne University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Duquesne University is 3.8. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.50 and 3.8, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.00–4.20.Duquesne University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.40 – 3.59
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.39
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Personal essay required for Physician Assistant Studies applicants; recommended (not required) for Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology; optional for other majors.
- Superscores SAT/ACT across all submitted test dates, taking highest section scores from each sitting.
- Admission agreement explicitly states sending deposits to more than one institution simultaneously may result in withdrawal of Duquesne's offer (with a waitlist exception); also discloses that applicants' social media presence may be considered.
- Application fee waived for early applicants who apply before December 15; Pharmacy admission involves an interview process where ACT scores may be discussed directly.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Duquesne University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Duquesne University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Duquesne University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Duquesne University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Duquesne University Without SAT or ACT?
Duquesne University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Duquesne University Average SAT Score: 1257
Admitted students at Duquesne University average a 1257 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1257 — Slightly Competitive
A 1257 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1350 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Duquesne University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1160? A retake is worth it at Duquesne University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 620 | 570 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 635 | 590 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1257 | 1160 | 1350 |
A score under 1160 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1350+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Duquesne University with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Duquesne University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Duquesne University ACT Requirements
Duquesne University's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 25 | 29 |
| ACT English | 29 | 24 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into Duquesne University with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Duquesne University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Duquesne University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Duquesne University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Duquesne University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Write the Health Professions Essay Only If You're Applying to a Program That Requires It - Don't Assume It's Universal
Duquesne's personal essay is required specifically for health professions applicants (Physician Assistant Studies mandates it explicitly; Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology recommend it) but is optional for most other majors. If you're applying to Business, Liberal Arts, or Science and Engineering, don't feel obligated to submit a lengthy essay - but if you're in a health professions track, treat the specific prompt (why this health field, why Duquesne, plus research/shadowing/volunteer examples) as a mandatory, not optional, component.
Submit Every SAT/ACT Sitting Since Duquesne Superscores Across All Test Dates
Duquesne explicitly combines your highest section scores across every SAT or ACT date you submit - meaning a strong Reading score from one sitting and a strong Math score from another both count toward your composite. Send scores from every test date you've taken, even ones you consider "worse" overall, since an individual weak sitting could still contain your best score in one section.
Disclose Only One Enrollment Deposit - Duquesne Explicitly Tracks and Penalizes Multiple Deposits
Duquesne's admission agreement explicitly states that sending enrollment deposits to more than one institution simultaneously may result in your Duquesne admission being withdrawn - with a specific carve-out allowing a second deposit only if you're on another school's waitlist and have already informed Duquesne you won't be enrolling there. If you're weighing multiple offers, resolve your decision before depositing at more than one school, since Duquesne's policy is stricter than the general norm of holding multiple deposits until May 1.
Understand Your Social Media Presence May Factor Into Your Duquesne Admission Decision
Duquesne's admission agreement includes an explicit disclosure that applicants' social media presence may be considered as part of the review - a policy stated directly in the application terms rather than left implicit. Review your public social media presence with this in mind before submitting your application, treating it as a real component of your file rather than an unstated afterthought.
Expert Insight:
Applicants to competitive programs like Pharmacy or Physician Assistant Studies sometimes treat Duquesne's general test-optional policy as applying uniformly - but PA Studies mandates a personal essay outright and student accounts describe Pharmacy admissions interviews scrutinizing ACT scores specifically (one admitted student reported an interviewer questioning a 24 ACT as below their preferred 26 benchmark), so a test-optional strategy that works for a Liberal Arts application may leave a health-professions applicant under-prepared for program-specific expectations.
Duquesne University Profile
Full Name
Duquesne University
City
Pittsburgh
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15282
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Duquesne University Degree Worth It?
Whether Duquesne University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $61,300, and graduates see a 3.03% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Duquesne University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $63,042/year at Duquesne University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Duquesne University, 18.1% receive a Pell Grant and 57.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Duquesne University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Duquesne University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Duquesne University graduates report a median income of $74,742, about 84% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Duquesne University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 1213 | 26 |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | 1211 | 26 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Duquesne University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Duquesne University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Duquesne University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Duquesne University Admissions
Duquesne University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $74,742/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Duquesne University runs high, at roughly $63,042+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
18.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Duquesne University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Duquesne University's acceptance rate is 78.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Duquesne University students is 3.8, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.5 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Duquesne University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.4 or below makes admission tougher at Duquesne University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Duquesne University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1257, and within the 1160–1350 range, keeps you competitive.
Duquesne University's deadline is December 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 20.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Duquesne University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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