College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
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Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA 5,350 Undergrads 79.0% Grad Rate
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Total Cost
$67,776
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$37,730
After Aid
Median Earnings
$74,665
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$37,730
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$74,665
Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$74,742
Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate79.0%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Average Starting Age20.4
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients19.2%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time98.8%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS87.8%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance
83.6%
SAT Avg
1,276
SAT Reading
25th: 60062075th: 670
SAT Math
25th: 58060575th: 670
ACT Composite
25th: 262775th: 32

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$650k
+$183k
+$165k
Median Cost$38k/yr
+$514k
+$47k
+$29k
Full Cost$68k/yr
+$406k
-$61k
-$79k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
29
∞
Median Cost$38k/yr
51
22%
Full Cost$68k/yr
Never
-32%
Analysis Assumptions:
  • Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
  • Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
  • Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
  • NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return31%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-55%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Bachelor's Degrees

Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$86,169
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$117k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$105,387
Natl Median: $70,786
Lifetime Value Added
+$264k
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,625
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Behavioral Sciences
BachCIP: 3017
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,673
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$62,319
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
-$66k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$70,958
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
+$999
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$88,272
Natl Median: $93,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$133k
Median Debt
$26,344
Earnings (4yr)
$77,822
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$53k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,830
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $68,407
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$21,500
Earnings (4yr)
$65,898
Natl Median: $65,784
Lifetime Value Added
-$38k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $77,981
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,429
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,794
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$160k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$64,196
Natl Median: $58,928
Lifetime Value Added
-$51k
Median Debt
$22,557
Earnings (4yr)
$92,789
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$168k
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
$23,821
Earnings (4yr)
$92,606
Natl Median: $107,009
Lifetime Value Added
+$166k
Median Debt
$26,950
Earnings (4yr)
$60,310
Natl Median: $58,894
Lifetime Value Added
-$82k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,686
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$26,000
Earnings (4yr)
$54,025
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$133k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,027
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$26,830
Earnings (4yr)
$83,781
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$99k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$95,128
Natl Median: $58,716
Lifetime Value Added
+$186k
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (2yr)
$35,060
Natl Median: $61,911
Lifetime Value Added
-$282k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$50,090
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
-$166k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$78,157
Natl Median: $73,201
Lifetime Value Added
+$56k
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$65,169
Natl Median: $66,596
Lifetime Value Added
-$44k
Journalism
BachCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$54,081
Natl Median: $56,278
Lifetime Value Added
-$133k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$52,107
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
-$132k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$26,500
Earnings (4yr)
$69,977
Natl Median: $86,176
Lifetime Value Added
-$7k
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$26,000
Earnings (4yr)
$66,542
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
-$33k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
$24,220
Earnings (4yr)
$64,164
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$51k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$46,217
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
-$198k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$54,435
Natl Median: $116,539
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,786
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (4yr)
$66,444
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
-$34k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$26,000
Earnings (4yr)
$48,850
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$176k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,721
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (4yr)
$64,538
Natl Median: $63,560
Lifetime Value Added
-$48k
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$84,802
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$107k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$72,059
Natl Median: $55,792
Lifetime Value Added
+$9k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,471
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$25,250
Earnings (4yr)
$55,050
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$125k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$49,883
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$168k
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$48,096
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$183k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,535
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Music
PB-CertCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,232
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,752
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Master's Degrees

Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$91,105
Natl Median: $95,833
Lifetime Value Added
+$93k
Median Debt
$33,500
Earnings (4yr)
$121,848
Natl Median: $127,347
Lifetime Value Added
+$361k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $106,375
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biotechnology
MastCIP: 2612
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $107,682
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$40,750
Earnings (4yr)
$109,445
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$254k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,290
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
MastCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,937
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,953
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$43,495
Earnings (4yr)
$63,278
Natl Median: $67,030
Lifetime Value Added
-$152k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $85,444
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$62,206
Natl Median: $120,083
Lifetime Value Added
-$173k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $121,855
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$71,326
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$93k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,232
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$42,682
Natl Median: $70,644
Lifetime Value Added
-$330k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$40,467
Natl Median: $55,512
Lifetime Value Added
-$353k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $89,981
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
MastCIP: 5132
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,487
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
MastCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$44,130
Natl Median: $55,360
Lifetime Value Added
-$333k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $124,807
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $138,309
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$62,652
Earnings (4yr)
$57,792
Natl Median: $59,571
Lifetime Value Added
-$202k
Music
MastCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$37,427
Natl Median: $48,285
Lifetime Value Added
-$399k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$60,629
Natl Median: $74,607
Lifetime Value Added
-$176k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,024
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Philosophy
MastCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $60,272
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$47,260
Natl Median: $93,020
Lifetime Value Added
-$284k
Median Debt
$65,117
Earnings (4yr)
$105,299
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$217k
Median Debt
$40,600
Earnings (4yr)
$75,007
Natl Median: $71,416
Lifetime Value Added
-$48k
Religious Education
MastCIP: 3904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,328
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Religious Music and Worship
MastCIP: 3905
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,264
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$59,911
Natl Median: $63,216
Lifetime Value Added
-$183k
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$66,985
Natl Median: $82,399
Lifetime Value Added
-$119k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,130
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$256k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,033
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$65,872
Earnings (4yr)
$53,860
Natl Median: $60,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$239k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$51,909
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
-$258k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,910
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
-$220k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,767
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Graduate Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,507
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $126,911
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Doctoral Degrees

Biology, General
DocCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,983
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
DocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $115,386
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$96,778
Earnings (4yr)
$86,356
Natl Median: $99,878
Lifetime Value Added
-$143k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $89,809
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,831
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
DocCIP: 5132
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $107,610
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $108,943
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $136,696
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Philosophy
DocCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,449
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$126,244
Natl Median: $138,131
Lifetime Value Added
+$134k
Median Debt
$73,412
Earnings (4yr)
$82,517
Natl Median: $82,893
Lifetime Value Added
-$171k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$68,788
Natl Median: $78,692
Lifetime Value Added
-$274k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$67,660
Natl Median: $83,794
Lifetime Value Added
-$262k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,982
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Professional Degrees

Law
ProfCIP: 2201
Median Debt
$72,500
Earnings (4yr)
$82,014
Natl Median: $107,773
Lifetime Value Added
-$175k
Median Debt
$52,000
Earnings (4yr)
$131,534
Natl Median: $138,348
Lifetime Value Added
+$191k

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. Note that the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.