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DePaul University

Chicago, IL · City · 14,090 students
Nov 15 · Early Action · in 44 days
Checked Oct 2026 · depaul.edu
$30,902
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
69%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$68,751
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
76%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

As the nation’s largest Catholic university, DePaul University is best known for integrating its Vincentian mission of community service and social justice with a deeply immersive, city-centric education. Spread across two distinct campuses in Chicago's historic Lincoln Park and the downtown Loop, the university boasts nationally recognized programs in the Driehaus College of Business, the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, and The Theatre School. Student life is dynamic, diverse, and driven by a fast-paced quarter system, offering an urban experience where Chicago itself serves as an extended classroom for internships, research, and cultural engagement.


Wikipedia:DePaul University is a private Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul. In 1998, it became the largest Catholic university in terms of enrollment in North America. DePaul is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and has two campuses; one located in Lincoln Park and one in the Loop.

Location
Chicago, IL, 60604 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MDW · Chicago Midway
9 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$45,999
Housing & food (on campus)$19,095
Books & supplies$1,104
Cost of attendance$63,052
Average net price$30,902
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$45,999
Housing & food (on campus)$19,095
Books & supplies$1,104
Cost of attendance$63,052
Average net price$30,902
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$27,359
$30–48k
$25,950
$48–75k
$28,687
$75–110k
$31,057
$110k+
$37,092
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$20,876
First-years who got one712
Source: DePaul University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
69%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
55%
Back for yr 2
86%
Transferred
17%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
70% graduated · 19% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 10% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$54,695
10 yrs after entry$68,751
Debt
Median at graduation$23,168
Monthly payment$246
Middle 50% owe$9.2k–$27k
90th percentile$37,667
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
76%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1262
R 580–670 · M 560–660
SAT middle 50%: 1140–1330
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Action
Nov 15 2026
in 44 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Checked Oct 2026 · depaul.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at DePaul University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: DePaul University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If DePaul University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 45%Women 55%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
17 : 1
Pell grant
32%
First-gen
30%
Family income
$48,556
Independent
20%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
6%
Race & ethnicity
White
44%
Hispanic
25%
Black
8%
Asian
13%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
4%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$54,695
After 10 yrs
$68,751
Finance and Financial Management Services240
Film/Video and Photographic Arts239
Psychology, General208
Business Administration, Management and Operations164
Accounting and Related Services155
Marketing153
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication147
Communication and Media Studies138
Computer Programming129
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General129
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities119
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods103
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft100
Political Science and Government99
Design and Applied Arts79
Graphic Communications58
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.0B
Full-time faculty
50%
Faculty salary
$12,717/mo
Teaching spend
$13,870
per student
Federal loans
46%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$11M research spending · 61 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if DePaul University is the right fit for you?

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