Analysis
A teaching degree from Duquesne appears positioned near the middle of what education programs nationally deliver—comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $38,660 with roughly $27,000 in debt. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in workable territory for a field where salaries start modest but grow steadily with experience and Pennsylvania's relatively strong teacher compensation scales.
Pennsylvania's education landscape shows considerable variation, with some programs producing first-year outcomes below $30,000 while others like Wilkes push past $45,000. Duquesne's profile—selective enough to draw students averaging 1257 SAT scores—suggests graduates may be competitive for positions in better-funded school districts around Pittsburgh and beyond. The estimated debt load aligns closely with Pennsylvania's state median for education degrees, meaning you're looking at typical borrowing for this credential in this region.
The practical challenge is that we're working with estimates derived from peer institutions rather than Duquesne's specific outcomes. For a field as regionally varied as teaching—where starting salaries depend heavily on district hiring and state certification requirements—this uncertainty matters more than it might for other majors. Before committing, verify Duquesne's actual teacher placement rates in Pennsylvania districts and whether their student teaching network connects graduates to the higher-paying opportunities this region offers.
Where Duquesne University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,146 | $38,660* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $42,286 | $45,273* | — | $27,000* | 0.60 | |
| $35,815 | $27,998* | $37,516 | $27,000* | 0.96 | |
| National Median | — | $38,660* | — | $26,522* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with education graduates
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 national median of 66 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.