What Duquesne University does

Duquesne University is a private Catholic institution in the Spiritan tradition, founded in 1878 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, operating ten schools of study with 85+ undergraduate majors and 125+ graduate and professional programs. The university serves approximately 10,000 students, faculty, and staff and holds a Carnegie R2 designation for high research activity. Its academic portfolio spans business, health sciences, nursing, pharmacy, education, music, liberal arts, law, and the newly opened Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine (fall 2024), the latter representing a strategic expansion into medical education focused on primary care for underserved southwestern Pennsylvania communities.

The university's core technology platform consists of the Canvas learning management system, a student portal, and advanced simulation and AR anatomy labs supporting the osteopathic medicine curriculum. Delivery formats include on-campus instruction, fully online degrees, and hybrid programs; notable offerings include the Flex MBA, online MSN/DNP/Pharm.D., Master of Health Administration, and an accelerated BS in Organizational Leadership for adult learners. Supporting student services include a mobile application (iOS/Android), the UPass transit partnership with Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and the Gussin Spiritan Division for first-year transition support.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees (varying by school/program), with supplementary streams from foundation grants (Eden Hall $1.5M, Henry Hillman $3M, Peirce Family $4.47M, CDMRP $1.5M) and philanthropic donations including a transformational Nasuti family gift. Average gift aid for FAFSA-filing undergraduates is $31,431, and outcomes are a strategic differentiator: 95% career outcomes rate, 94% directly-related employment, average starting salary of $70,810, and 72% of graduates remaining in Pennsylvania. The go-to-market is a traditional sales-led admissions process across campus visits, digital marketing, college fairs, and a gamified D.U. Quest admissions journey, with a planned presidential transition to Dr. David J. Dausey effective July 1, 2026.

Name

Duquesne University

Legal name

Duquesne University

Website

https://duq.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1878

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Duquesne University is a private Catholic Spiritan university in Pittsburgh offering 85+ undergraduate and 125+ graduate programs across ten schools, including the newly opened Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine and online/hybrid degrees serving approximately 10,000 students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Medical education
• Online degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with rates varying by school and program. Additional fees for administrative services, housing, and food.
2. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations supporting specific initiatives such as medical college development. Includes $1.5M from Eden Hall Foundation for medical college addressing healthcare disparities.
3. Foundation Grants: $3 million grant from Henry Hillman Foundation supporting construction and equipment of College of Osteopathic Medicine.
4. Philanthropic Donations: Transformational donations from families such as the Nasuti family for scholarships and faculty development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Duquesne University is a private Catholic university in the Spiritan tradition offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across ten schools, including 85+ undergraduate majors and 125+ graduate and professional programs. Programs are delivered on-campus in Pittsburgh and through online/hybrid formats, spanning business, health sciences, nursing, pharmacy, education, law, music, liberal arts, and osteopathic medicine.

Product overview

Duquesne University is a private Catholic institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services through ten schools of study. The core offering consists of traditional and online undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning business, health sciences, nursing, pharmacy, liberal arts, education, music, and law. Key products include the College of Osteopathic Medicine (opening 2024) for medical training, Duquesne University Online for digital learning, the Honors College for high-achieving students, and the Gussin Spiritan Division for first-year transition support. The university provides supporting services including the Duquesne University Mobile App (iOS/Android), UPass discounted transit program with Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and career development through Handshake integration. The institution's R2 research designation enables undergraduate and graduate research opportunities across disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine: The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Duquesne University, named after the Nasuti family following a transformational donation. Focuses on training primary care physicians for underserved communities.

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Bachelor's degree programs across ten schools of study with 85+ majors, including business, health sciences, nursing, pharmacy, education, law, music, liberal arts, and sciences. For prospective undergraduate students.
• Graduate and Professional Programs 125+ graduate, master's, and professional programs in business, health sciences, nursing, education, pharmacy, liberal arts, and law. Available on-campus and online.
• Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical school providing osteopathic medical education with a focus on training primary care physicians to serve underserved communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Features advanced simulation and AR anatomy labs.
• Duquesne University Online Fully online and hybrid graduate degrees and certificates in business, education, health sciences, nursing, music, liberal arts, and pharmacy. Also includes an undergraduate completion program in organizational leadership. Features small class sizes and dedicated advising.
• Flex MBA Master of Business Administration program offered in flexible online format through the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. Designed for working professionals.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Online graduate nursing program with specializations including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Executive Nurse Leadership.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Advanced nursing practice doctorate with specializations in Clinical Leadership and Executive Nurse Leadership, available online.
• Ph.D. in Nursing Doctoral research program in nursing offered online, preparing scholars for academic and research careers.
• Master of Health Administration Online graduate program in healthcare administration with micro-credentials in Health Informatics and Healthcare Compliance.
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Professional pharmacy doctorate program available through an online delivery option.
• Master of Music Therapy Graduate music therapy degree combining musical training with therapeutic applications.
• Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Graduate biomedical sciences program preparing students for medical careers or further research study.
• M.S. in Leadership Online leadership degree in the College of Liberal Arts focusing on organizational and management skills.
• Organizational Leadership (BS) Accelerated online bachelor's degree in organizational leadership for adult learners seeking career advancement.
• Duquesne University Honors College Elite academic program for exceptional students offering interdisciplinary courses, independent projects, cultural events, and dedicated fellowship advising. Operating for 40 years.
• Gussin Spiritan Division First-year transition program providing academic support, cohort-based learning, tutoring, and life coaching to help students succeed.
• Duquesne University Mobile App Official iOS and Android application for students to view schedules, grades, access COVID-19 resources, news, campus directory, and map.
• UPass Program Discounted transit program in partnership with Pittsburgh Regional Transit offering $1.98 per-ride bus fares to students, faculty, and staff.
• Parking and Shuttle Services Campus parking facilities with daily and permit options, plus free shuttle service to South Side and Oakland neighborhoods for students.
• Study Abroad Programs Programs in Rome, Dublin, and Duq-Approved semester programs, spring break away, maymester, and international internships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% career outcomes rate - graduates employed, continuing education, volunteer service, or military service
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Terra PharmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2026Duquesne University has entered a research partnership with Terra Pharm to study consumer cannabis habits including how the drug is used to treat chronic pain, sleep problems, and anxiety. Terra Pharm has opened dispensaries staffed with Duquesne pharmacists who screen consumers and collect self-reported data, with locations in Uniontown, White Oak, and a growing/processing plant in Lawrenceville.
• Terra PharmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Terra Pharm partnered with Duquesne University's Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine to conduct research on medical marijuana's effectiveness, particularly as an alternative to opioid pain medications. Terra Pharm opened a cultivation and processing facility in Pittsburgh and launched dispensaries.
• Pittsburgh Regional TransitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique partnership providing discounted bus rides to all students, faculty and staff through the UPass program. Riders can travel anywhere Pittsburgh Regional Transit travels at discounted fare of $1.98 per ride compared to $2.75 regular price. Exclusive to Duquesne community.
• Pittsburgh EmployersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated just a few blocks from Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations and startups providing experiential learning, internships, and career opportunities for students.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Carnegie Mellon University: R1 private research university in Pittsburgh. Competes with Duquesne for the same Pittsburgh talent pool, faculty, and employer relationships, but operates at a much higher research tier and STEM focus, drawing a different student profile.
• University of Pittsburgh: Major R1 public research university in Pittsburgh. Competes for the same regional students, faculty, and clinical partnerships, especially in health sciences where Pitt is dominant; differs in being public and significantly larger.
• Point Park University: Private university in downtown Pittsburgh competing directly with Duquesne for the same urban Pittsburgh student market, particularly in communications, business, and performing arts.
• Robert Morris University: Private university near Pittsburgh with overlapping business, nursing, and engineering programs. Competes for similar regional commuter and traditional students in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Direct peers

• Villanova University: Augustinian Catholic research university of similar size in Pennsylvania. Closely comparable as a faith-affiliated private university with strong undergraduate outcomes, similar NCAA Division I athletics profile, and overlapping applicant pool in the Northeast.
• Marquette University: Jesuit Catholic research university in Milwaukee with similar size, school structure (business, nursing, health sciences, law), R2 designation, and mission-driven positioning. Strong direct competitor for faith-affiliated students seeking professional outcomes.
• Saint Joseph's University: Jesuit Catholic university in Philadelphia with comparable enrollment scale, business and health sciences programs, and similar applicant demographics in the Mid-Atlantic. Recent merger with University of the Sciences expanded its health/pharmacy footprint, mirroring Duquesne's.
• La Salle University: Catholic (Christian Brothers) university in Philadelphia with comparable undergraduate-focused, mid-size private profile and similar tuition/aid positioning in the Mid-Atlantic Catholic higher-ed market.
• Gonzaga University: Jesuit Catholic university of similar enrollment scale with strong academic reputation, NCAA Division I athletics, and mission-driven positioning. Comparable in size, structure, and outcomes-driven value proposition.
• Creighton University: Jesuit Catholic university in Omaha with a comparable mix of professional schools (medicine, pharmacy, nursing, law, business) and similar emphasis on health sciences and mission-driven outcomes. Closely analogous in academic portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/duqedu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/duquesneuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/duquesneuniversityoftheholyspirit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/duquesne-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/duquesneuniversity
• TikToktiktok.com/@duquesneuniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Duquesne University