Success Starts Here
Ask any Duquesne graduate how they feel about the next step in their lives and you'll
hear the same answer: "Prepared." You can count on faculty and staff to help make
sure you gain impressive experience, confidence handling challenges, and powerful
networks to get a running start on an impactful career and life of personal achievement. At Duquesne, students gain more than technical skills—they discover how research can
shape careers and change lives. For alumni like Mat Pletcher, S’96, Brynn Roman, S’20
and Lauren Rebel, S’22, early hands-on research experiences became a foundation for
meaningful work in science, medicine and human-centered care. Together, their success reflects how hands‑on research, faculty mentorship and alumni
engagement at Duquesne prepare students for advanced study and high‑impact careers.
44% report 3+ career experiences
Your Future is Bright
Alumni Return to Summer Research Program to Share Insights, Experiences
86% of graduates report at least one internship or career-related experience
Moving on to Bigger Goals
Graduate Education
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
- Bank of New York Mellon
- PNC Financial Services
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Allegheny Health Network
- Federated Hermes
- Wesco
- Ernst & Young
- School of Business: Wesco, BNY, Ernst & Young, PPG, PNC Financial Services
- School of Education: Pittsburgh Public Schools, Cognitive Behavior Institute, Upper St. Clair School District, Watson Institute, Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Health Sciences: Allegheny Health Network, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Centers of Disease Control & Prevention, Cleveland Clinic, Orthopedia Sports and Physical Therapy Associates
- Law School Employment Statistics
- Liberal Arts: Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Dick's Sporting Goods, Allegheny County, ADP, American Eagle Outfitters
- Music: Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Reid Sound, North Allegheny School District, Annapolis Music Therapy Services
- Nursing: UPMC, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Geisinger
- Pharmacy: Giant Eagle, CVS Caremark, PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy, University Hospitals, Merck & Co.
- Science and Engineering: Pennsylvania State Police, PPG, Covestro, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Northrop Grumman
24% of graduates choose to further their education
- Duquesne University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Boston University
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Case Western Reserve University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Columbia University
- Syracuse University
Average starting salaries (overall, across all schools, excluding School of Law and College of Medicine):
- Average starting salary: $70,051
- Median salary: $65,000
- Average signing bonus: $9,371
- Median signing bonus: $10,000
Average salary by school:
- Liberal Arts: $52,312
- Business: $67,593
- Education: $61,688
- Health Sciences: $81,053
- Music: $39,520
- Nursing: $79,394
- Pharmacy: $85,354
- Sciences: $63,996
- Healthcare Services—44%
- Education/Teaching/Training—11%
- Sales—5%
- Accounting—6%
- Counseling—4%
- Finance—5%
- Logistics & Supply Chain—2%
- Administration—2%
- Consulting—0%
- Data & Analytics—2%
- Information Technology—1%
- Lab Work/Science—2%
- Management—1%
- Marketing—1%
- Other—13%
Breakdown by Industry:
- Healthcare—40%
- Higher Education—7%
- K-12 Education—5%
- Accounting—5%
- Pharmaceuticals—3%
- Retail—4%
- Investment/Portfolio Management—2%
- Financial Services—4%
- Government—1%
- Insurance—1%
- Manufacturing—2%
- Non-Profit—2%
- Transportation & Logistics—1%
- Other—23%
- Pennsylvania—78%
- Mid-Atlantic (MD, VA, WV, DE, DC)—6%
- Midwest (WI, MO, KS, IA, MN, NE, MI, OH, IN, ND, SD, IL)—4%
- Northeast (ME, VT, NY, NH, CT, MA, NJ, RI)—4%
- South (NC, SC, KY, TN, GA, FL, AL, AR, LA, MS)—3%
- Southwest (CO, AZ, TX, OK, NM)—2%
- West (CA, HI, WA, OR, AK, MT, ID, UT, NV, WY)—1%
- Outside the U.S.—2%
Hear From Our Graduates
“What sets Duquesne apart is our vast alumni network that is committed to working with Duquesne students. I feel prepared for life after graduation because I know this loyal network is there to support me for a lifetime."
“Duquesne has the best nursing program in Pittsburgh and is looked at very highly by any employer. The University prepares you academically, emotionally and socially to be the best possible nurse you can be.”
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Duquesne. My current role at Surgical Product Solutions—my first job out of college—would not have been possible without the university's strong alumni network and career support.”
“At Duquesne, I had the opportunity to be involved in multiple professional organizations, conduct my own independent research and participate in an array of clinical rotations. This and networking with Duquesne’s vast alumni really set the foundation for my professional career.”
“Duquesne has not only prepared me academically, but it has also empowered me as a systems-level change agent ready to elevate student services, strengthen school communities and lead with purpose.”
Whether you're a student just beginning your education or a Duquesne University graduate,
the Center for Career Development is here to support you at every stage of your professional
journey. We help students and alumni explore careers, connect with employers, and
develop professional and job search skills through programs, events and one-on-one
career counseling. We are excited to connect with you, our valued students, alumni, and employers, to
determine how we can best support you.Alongside You for Success
Let's Connect
Center for Career Development