Business/Commerce (Bachelor's Degree) at Duquesne University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,781

Est. from PA median (10 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,543

Est. from PA median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar business programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $46,000, with debt near $27,000—figures that place Duquesne's estimated outcomes squarely in the middle of the state's range. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio indicates graduates would owe about seven months of their first-year salary, a manageable threshold by conventional standards. However, what's striking is how compressed Pennsylvania's business outcomes are: even the highest-earning programs top out around $57,000, meaning there's limited upside compared to many other states.

The real question is whether Duquesne's private school experience justifies what comparable programs deliver financially. With a 79% admission rate and tuition that typically runs higher than public alternatives, you're paying for smaller classes and the Duquesne brand rather than dramatically different career outcomes. Peer programs at Temple and University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown—both public institutions—produce similar estimated earnings while potentially carrying lower sticker prices.

The safest approach: confirm Duquesne's actual net cost for your family after aid, then compare it directly to public options. If the difference is substantial and your student isn't set on Duquesne's specific culture or Pittsburgh location, Pennsylvania's public universities might deliver equivalent business credentials at better value. The estimated earnings suggest competency in the field, but private school tuition needs a stronger justification than "typical" outcomes.

Where Duquesne University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh	$47,146	$45,781*	—	$26,543*	—
Albright CollegeReading	$28,794	$56,932*	$55,634	$33,500*	0.59
Strayer University-PennsylvaniaTrevose	$13,920	$55,431*	$59,763	$56,517*	1.02
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia	$22,082	$48,747*	$60,375	$27,000*	0.55
Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington	$28,185	$45,911*	$59,080	$26,085*	0.57
University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownJohnstown	$14,646	$45,781*	$51,789	$26,625*	0.58
National Median	—	$47,506*	—	$26,000*	0.55

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Duquesne University, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.