For access among nonprofit four-year institutions
For mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Depaul University #283 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 80.9 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,380 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Depaul University in the 87.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Accounting and Related Services #51 among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment — a ranked specialty within DePaul's creative-technology and applied-business focus. ---
Azimuth ranks DePaul University #283 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 80.9th percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private research university (Carnegie R2) in Chicago, IL, DePaul University enrolls roughly 14,090 undergraduates. Retention is 85.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 67.8%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion.
Where DePaul University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks DePaul University #208 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 86.0th percentile. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $73,466, placing DePaul University in the 74.3rd percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $11,380 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing DePaul University in the 87.7th percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. DePaul University admits about 75.9% of applicants — a selectivity level that, by design, limits the size of each entering class and the number of low-income students the institution enrolls (31.8% Pell, 30.2% first-generation). DePaul University sits in the 81.4th percentile for access and the 13.8th percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For admitted students, DePaul University's published aid guidance commits to meeting demonstrated financial need in full under current financial aid policies, per the financial aid page.
DePaul University's published cost of attendance is $63,052. Net price by income band is less differentiated than at institutions with deeper need-based aid: low-income families see a net price of approximately $27,359, middle-income families pay around $28,687, and higher-income families pay approximately $37,092. Azimuth ranks DePaul University #1228 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 13.8th percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The lower affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker and the debt load graduates carry out: net price and sticker price can differ substantially, but at DePaul the gap between sticker and net price is smaller than at institutions with larger endowments. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,168, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $41,563; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and DePaul University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $73,466, median federal debt of $23,168 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
DePaul University is a strong fit for students interested in business, social sciences, and applied fields who want a private university experience in Chicago, IL.
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $73,466, placing DePaul University in the 74.3rd percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,380 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 87.7th percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Depaul University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
DePaul University enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 31.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.2% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place the institution in the 84.9th percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure.
Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 75.9% admit rate makes the application process accessible rather than highly selective, and the program mix favors applied-professional fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Methodist University Similar quality tier (#10684 ranked) | TX | 63% | $78,354 | #10684 | Compare |
University Of San Francisco Similar quality tier (#10691 ranked) | CA | 62% | $89,812 | #10691 | Compare |
Nova Southeastern University Similar quality tier (#8575 ranked) | FL | 73% | $59,209 | #8575 | Compare |
University Of Miami Similar quality tier (#10705 ranked) | FL | 19% | $75,328 | #10705 | Compare |
Santa Clara University Similar quality tier (#8053 ranked) | CA | 48% | $109,183 | #8053 | Compare |
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
45 graduates
Computer Programming
138 graduates
Economics
10 graduates
Computer Software and Media Applications
30 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
42 graduates
DePaul University's program mix is anchored in applied business, creative-technology, and media fields. Business accounts for a substantial share of graduates, with Finance and Financial Management Services as the largest program. Across 40 ranked programs, several sit in the national top #44 [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
Azimuth ranks Computer Programming #1 nationally among private four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with graduates earning $101,315. Azimuth ranks Finance and Financial Management Services #44 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with graduates earning $93,719, signaling strength in creative and media-adjacent fields. Azimuth ranks Accounting and Related Services #51 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with graduates earning $93,592, and Marketing ranks #45 nationally with graduates earning $78,164.
The program offers 4+1 accelerated options, per the curriculum page. Graduate pathways include BA/MA or joint graduate pathway, per program guidelines. Named research infrastructure includes Explore the Center, Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, and BETA Lab, per the department's research page. The [supply-demand map](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with labor-market demand.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
DePaul University's published cost of attendance is $63,052. Net price by income band is less differentiated than at institutions with deeper need-based aid: low-income families see a net price of approximately $27,359, middle-income families pay around $28,687, and higher-income families pay approximately $37,092. Azimuth ranks DePaul University #1228 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 13.8th percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The lower affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker and the debt load graduates carry out: [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), but at DePaul the gap between sticker and net price is smaller than at institutions with larger endowments. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,168, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $41,563; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and DePaul University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $73,466, median federal debt of $23,168 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Depaul University earn median 4-year earnings of $73,466, placing Depaul University in the 74.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,380 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 87.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Depaul University #208 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Finance and Financial Management Services reports 247 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $93,719, ranked #43 nationally in its major. Marketing reports 177 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $78,164, ranked #45 nationally in its major.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts reports 176 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $46,969, ranked #21 nationally in its major. Accounting and Related Services reports 172 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $93,592, ranked #43 nationally in its major.
