More selective than 48% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
25% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 5% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Duquesne University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Duquesne University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Duquesne University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Class rank
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Duquesne University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.76. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
99% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
435 offered a spot, 422 took it, 77 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Duquesne University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Duquesne University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 600 | 670 |
| SAT math | 580 | 670 |
| ACT composite | 26 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1180 | 1340 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Duquesne University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 84% | 600–670 | 580–670 | 26–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 79% | 590–680 | 570–670 | 26–31 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Duquesne University compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Duquesne University has the 59th-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | Neumann University | 81% | 54% | $27,804 |
| 56 | Susquehanna University | 81% | 82% | $28,819 |
| 57 | Mount Aloysius College | 82% | 57% | $22,344 |
| 58 | Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 83% | 68% | $20,586 |
| 59 | Duquesne University | 84% | 77% | $37,730 |
| 60 | Lebanon Valley College | 84% | 65% | $26,979 |
| 61 | Cedar Crest College | 84% | 60% | $18,659 |
| 62 | Keystone College | 85% | 36% | $22,051 |
| 63 | Immaculata University | 86% | 71% | $24,258 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →
Who enrolls at Duquesne University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Duquesne University admissions questions
What is the Duquesne University acceptance rate?
Duquesne University accepts 84% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 11,128 of 14,112 applicants were admitted.
Does Duquesne University require the SAT or ACT?
Duquesne University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 25% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Duquesne University?
The middle 50% of Duquesne University enrolled first-year students scored 1180–1340 on the SAT and 26–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Duquesne University?
13% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,477 of 11,128).
What does Duquesne University look for in applicants?
Duquesne University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores. Important: class rank, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, volunteer work, work experience. Considered: essay, recommendations, interview, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, religious affiliation, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Duquesne University have early decision?
No. Duquesne University does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the Duquesne University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 435 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 422 accepted one and 77 were admitted (18% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Duquesne University getting harder to get into?
Duquesne University accepted 84% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 79% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Duquesne University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Duquesne University overview