Students at DePaul University achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, reflecting strong career preparation and access to Chicago's dynamic job market.
Graduates benefit from both above-average earnings overall and particularly strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
DePaul University delivers strong long-term value for students willing to invest in a private education. Located in Chicago, DePaul combines the resources of a large private institution with solid career outcomes that place graduates well above national averages for earnings. The university serves a diverse student body, with about 31% of students receiving Pell Grants and 30% being first-generation college students, yet still maintains strong graduation rates and financial outcomes across income levels.
What distinguishes DePaul is its ability to translate Chicago's economic opportunities into real career advancement for graduates. Ten years after enrollment, students earn a median of $68,751, with particularly strong outcomes in business, finance, and technology fields. The university's location provides direct access to one of the nation's major financial and business centers, creating internship and career opportunities that extend well beyond graduation.
As a large private university, DePaul offers the academic breadth and alumni network that students need to succeed in competitive fields, while maintaining the kind of student support that helps diverse learners thrive. For families who can manage the higher costs associated with private education, DePaul represents a pathway to strong career outcomes in one of America's most dynamic job markets.
DePaul University's program portfolio reflects its strength in professional fields that align well with Chicago's economy. Business programs dominate the university's highest-return offerings, with Banking and Financial Support Services leading in aggregate return by graduating 283 students annually at median earnings of $56,924. Accounting, the university's largest program by enrollment, produces 245 graduates who earn about $60,925 early in their careers, demonstrating both scale and strong financial outcomes.
Technology programs show some of the highest individual earning potential, with Cloud Computing graduates earning $63,501 despite smaller cohort sizes of 32 students. This pattern reflects DePaul's ability to prepare students for high-demand fields where Chicago's tech sector provides substantial career opportunities. The university's location advantage becomes particularly apparent in these technical fields, where proximity to major employers creates internship and job placement opportunities.
The range of outcomes across programs is notable, from Acting majors who earn $20,572 early in their careers to technology and business graduates who consistently exceed $60,000. This diversity reflects DePaul's comprehensive program mix, but also highlights the importance of program choice in maximizing the return on a private education investment. Students benefit most when they align their academic interests with fields where DePaul's Chicago location and alumni networks provide clear career advantages.
DePaul University graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that reflect both the institution's academic quality and its strategic Chicago location. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $68,751, placing the university in the top 20% nationally for earnings outcomes. Students also benefit from earnings that exceed expectations compared with similar institutions, with graduates earning about $2,779 more than would be predicted based on their backgrounds and the programs they complete.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its business and technology programs. Banking and Financial Support Services, DePaul's highest aggregate-return major, graduates 283 students annually with median earnings of $56,924, combining strong enrollment with solid pay. Accounting graduates earn about $60,925 early in their careers, while Cloud Computing majors see some of the highest individual earnings at $63,501. Even programs like Acting, which typically show lower early-career earnings at $20,572, benefit from Chicago's robust entertainment and media landscape.
DePaul's location in Chicago provides graduates with access to diverse industries and career paths that continue to pay dividends over time. The city's concentration of financial services, technology companies, and corporate headquarters creates opportunities for career advancement that help explain why DePaul graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations. This urban advantage, combined with strong alumni networks in key industries, supports the kind of long-term career growth that makes the initial investment worthwhile.
DePaul University requires a significant financial commitment, with net prices that reflect its status as a private institution in an expensive urban market. Low-income students pay about $23,758 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $26,576, and higher-income families pay approximately $35,894. These prices place DePaul in the lower tier nationally for affordability, requiring families to carefully weigh upfront costs against long-term career benefits.
The university does provide meaningful financial aid that helps reduce sticker price impact, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds. The relatively modest difference between low-income and middle-income net prices suggests that DePaul's aid programs work to keep costs manageable for families who demonstrate financial need. However, the substantial jump to $35,894 for higher-income families reflects the reality that private education requires significant family resources or borrowing capacity.
What makes DePaul's pricing more sustainable is the strong earning potential that graduates achieve. With median earnings of $68,751 ten years out, most graduates develop the financial capacity to manage their educational investment over time. The university's location in Chicago also means that graduates enter a job market with salary levels that can support loan repayment, though families should carefully consider their total borrowing relative to expected career outcomes in their chosen field.
Depaul University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
