Students at DePauw University achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally, with graduates consistently reaching high-earning careers across multiple fields.
The combination of personalized education, extensive alumni networks, and rigorous academic preparation creates reliable pathways to financial success that justify the investment for families who can afford it.
DePauw University delivers exceptional long-term value for students who can access it, ranking in the top 11% nationally for earnings outcomes among all colleges and universities. This small liberal arts college in Indiana combines the intimate academic experience typical of selective private institutions with financial returns that rival much larger research universities. With only about 16% of students receiving Pell Grants and 16% being first-generation college students, DePauw serves a relatively affluent student body, but those students go on to achieve remarkable career success.
Graduates earn a median of $70,527 ten years after enrollment, placing DePauw in the 89th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. The university's strength lies in its ability to prepare students for high-earning careers across multiple fields, from applied economics and computer science to business and finance. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, DePauw combines limited access with outstanding outcomes for the students it does serve.
What makes DePauw particularly valuable is how consistently it delivers strong financial returns across its academic programs. The combination of small class sizes, extensive alumni networks, and rigorous academic preparation creates a pathway to career success that justifies the higher upfront investment for families who can afford it.
DePauw University's academic strength spans multiple disciplines, with Applied Economics leading both in enrollment and aggregate return. This program combines 63 graduates with solid earnings of $57,860, making it the university's most significant contributor to overall financial outcomes. Computer Science represents the highest-earning field, with 45 graduates achieving approximately $66,941 in early-career earnings, reflecting strong demand for technical skills in the job market.
The university's liberal arts foundation provides students with analytical and communication skills that translate well across industries. While specific program earnings vary, DePauw's small size ensures that students in all majors receive personalized attention and career guidance that helps maximize their potential. The university's extensive alumni network, built over more than 180 years, provides graduates with access to opportunities in finance, consulting, law, medicine, and other high-earning professions.
DePauw's approach emphasizes breadth and depth, preparing students not just for their first job but for long-term career success. The combination of rigorous academics, close faculty mentorship, and strong alumni connections creates a foundation for career advancement that continues to pay dividends throughout graduates' professional lives, regardless of their specific field of study.
DePauw University graduates achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $70,527, ranking in the 89th percentile among all colleges and universities. This strong performance reflects the university's success in preparing students for high-earning careers and leveraging its extensive alumni network to create meaningful professional opportunities.
The university's strongest financial returns come from programs like Applied Economics, which combines high enrollment with solid earnings outcomes, making it a key driver of DePauw's overall success. Computer Science graduates earn approximately $66,941 early in their careers, representing some of the highest starting salaries among DePauw programs. Other popular programs maintain competitive earnings levels, with the university's broad liberal arts foundation providing students with the analytical and communication skills that employers value across industries.
DePauw's small size creates advantages that larger institutions cannot replicate. With intimate class sizes and close faculty mentorship, students receive personalized preparation for graduate school and career entry. The university's strong alumni network, built over more than 180 years, provides graduates with access to opportunities in finance, consulting, law, medicine, and other high-earning fields that continue to pay dividends throughout their careers.
DePauw University requires a significant financial commitment, particularly for middle- and upper-income families. Low-income students pay approximately $12,267 annually after aid, which represents strong support for the small number of Pell-eligible students who enroll. Middle-income families face net prices around $17,459 per year, while high-income families pay about $33,816 annually, reflecting the institution's high sticker price and more limited aid availability for families with greater financial resources.
The debt picture at DePauw requires careful family planning. Typical graduates leave with about $27,000 in federal student loan debt, a manageable level given the strong earnings outcomes. However, many families also rely on Parent PLUS loans, which average $30,202, bringing total family borrowing to substantial levels. The combination of student and parent debt means families should carefully assess their ability to manage payments, though DePauw's strong earnings outcomes generally support successful repayment.
What makes DePauw's costs more sustainable is the reliability of its career outcomes. With graduates consistently achieving strong earnings and a 0% federal loan default rate, families can have confidence that their investment will generate the financial returns needed to justify the upfront expense. The university's extensive career services and alumni network help ensure that graduates can access the high-earning opportunities that make the debt load manageable.
Depauw University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
