Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

Carnegie Mellon University vs Duquesne University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Pittsburgh PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Pittsburgh PA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Net price / year
$31,944
Earnings, 10 years
$114,862
Payback
1.9 yrs

Option B Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University

Net price / year
$37,730
Earnings, 10 years
$74,742
Payback
5.7 yrs
The verdict

Carnegie Mellon University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $127,776 in 1.9 years versus 5.7 years at Duquesne University, on median earnings of $114,862 vs $74,742 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCarnegie Mellon UniversityDuquesne University
Net price / yr$31,944$37,730
Total net cost$127,776$150,920
Median earnings, 10 yrs$114,862$74,742
Median debt$21,750$26,244
Payback1.9 yrs5.7 yrs
20-year net return$1,202,264$376,720

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Duquesne University?

Carnegie Mellon University, at $31,944 a year after aid versus $37,730 — a gap of $5,786 a year, or $23,144 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Carnegie Mellon University or Duquesne University graduates earn more?

Carnegie Mellon University graduates report a median $114,862 ten years after entry, $40,120 more than the $74,742 at Duquesne University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Carnegie Mellon University or Duquesne University?

Carnegie Mellon University: its completers carry a median $21,750 in federal loans versus $26,244 at Duquesne University, a difference of $4,494. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at Carnegie Mellon University, against 77% at Duquesne University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Carnegie Mellon University vs Duquesne University: frequently asked questions

Is Carnegie Mellon University or Duquesne University a better value?
Carnegie Mellon University. It clears its $127,776 net cost in about 1.9 years versus 5.7 years at Duquesne University, on median earnings of $114,862 vs $74,742 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Duquesne University?
Carnegie Mellon University: $31,944/yr net price after aid versus $37,730/yr at Duquesne University — a difference of $5,786 a year, or about $23,144 over four years.
Do Carnegie Mellon University or Duquesne University graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn a median $114,862 ten years after entry, versus $74,742 at Duquesne University — a $40,120 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.