Computer Software and Media Applications at Duquesne University

Duquesne's software program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground—beating national averages but trailing most Pennsylvania competitors. With first-year earnings of $41,394, graduates earn about $1,000 less than the state median for this degree, placing them in just the 40th percentile among PA schools. Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates, for instance, earn roughly $2,000 more right out of the gate. The modest $27,000 debt load keeps the financial picture manageable, but the earnings gap relative to in-state alternatives means students are effectively leaving money on the table from day one.

The 17% earnings growth to $48,434 by year four shows reasonable career progression, though it doesn't close the competitive gap with stronger programs. For a Pittsburgh family paying private school tuition, the calculation becomes trickier: is the Duquesne experience worth paying more to earn less than graduates from Penn College of Technology or other state options? The debt burden itself isn't alarming—it matches both national and state medians—but return on investment depends heavily on whether students are receiving substantial institutional aid.

For families with strong financial aid packages making Duquesne cost-competitive with public options, this program delivers acceptable outcomes. But at full freight, you're paying a premium for below-median state earnings in a field where starting salary differences compound over entire careers.