Head-to-head comparison
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus vs Duquesne University: which has better ROI?
Option A Pittsburgh, PA
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
- Net price / year
- $30,434
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,125
- Payback
- 6.9 yrs
Option B Pittsburgh, PA
Duquesne University
- Net price / year
- $37,730
- Earnings, 10 years
- $74,742
- Payback
- 5.7 yrs
Duquesne University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $150,920 in 5.7 years versus 6.9 years at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, on median earnings of $74,742 vs $66,125 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Duquesne University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,434 | $37,730 |
| Total net cost | $121,736 | $150,920 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,125 | $74,742 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $26,244 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 5.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $233,564 | $376,720 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Duquesne University?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, at $30,434 a year after aid versus $37,730 — a gap of $7,296 a year, or $29,184 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 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Duquesne University graduates earn more?
Duquesne University graduates report a median $74,742 ten years after entry, $8,617 more than the $66,125 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. 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, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus or Duquesne University?
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $26,244 at Duquesne University, a difference of $1,994. 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?
86% of students finish at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, 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.