Psychology at Duquesne University

Duquesne's psychology graduates start at $32,291—roughly on par with the national median—but fall below Pennsylvania's state median by about $1,100. More concerning, this program lands in just the 40th percentile among the 83 Pennsylvania psychology programs, meaning six out of ten peer programs in the state produce better early-career outcomes. The debt load of $26,294 is manageable relative to first-year earnings, but it's not compensating for the below-average starting position within Pennsylvania's competitive landscape.

The positive story here is earnings growth: graduates see a 31% jump to $42,256 by year four, outpacing many psychology programs where earnings tend to stagnate. This suggests Duquesne grads eventually find their footing, though they're starting from behind compared to state peers. The gap between this program and Pennsylvania's top performers—like Bucknell at $51,645 or Gettysburg at $50,040—is substantial, though those schools have very different selectivity profiles.

For families paying private university tuition, the value calculus hinges on whether Duquesne's other offerings (location in Pittsburgh, Catholic mission, smaller classes) justify starting earnings that lag behind the state median. If your child is Pennsylvania-bound and cost-conscious, exploring how this stacks up against in-state public options would be worth the effort, especially given that 60% of PA psychology programs deliver stronger initial outcomes.