DePaul University combines moderately selective admission with well above average outcomes across access, mobility, and return measures. As an Opportunity Builder institution, DePaul converts educational access into career advancement, generating $2,779 in earnings beyond expectations while serving substantial populations of Pell-eligible and first-generation students in Chicago's urban setting.
With strong-tier performance, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With below-average performance, reflecting higher costs relative to typical debt and earnings patterns
With strong-tier performance, reflecting above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With strong-tier performance, indicating effective conversion of access into earnings growth
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisDePaul delivers strong earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels across its career-focused programs. Graduates earn a median of $68,751 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 85th percentile nationally and generating $2,779 in earnings beyond expectations.
Earnings range from $42,705 at the 25th percentile to $101,987 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the institution's diverse program portfolio spanning business, technology, and liberal arts. Median student debt remains at the national average at $23,168, matching the peer median exactly, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34.
Students seeking career-focused programs in business, technology, and communications at an accessible urban institution. Strong fit for first-generation students and those prioritizing practical skills with solid post-graduation outcomes in professional fields.
DePaul admits approximately 73.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places DePaul in the moderately selective category, making admission accessible to most academically prepared students.
The peer median admission rate of 69.4% shows DePaul admits slightly more students than typical private nonprofit institutions of similar size and mission. This selectivity level means students with solid academic credentials should feel confident about their admission prospects, though competitive programs may have higher standards.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
DePaul's published cost of attendance reaches $59,467 per year, including $44,460 in tuition, $18,468 for room and board, and $1,104 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $29,141—representing $30,326 in average financial aid savings.
This net price sits $4,390 below the peer median of $33,531, making DePaul more affordable than typical private nonprofit institutions of similar size and mission. The substantial gap between sticker price and net price indicates DePaul uses financial aid strategically to make attendance accessible across income levels.
Students should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as the majority of students receive some form of institutional aid. The cost structure reflects DePaul's urban Chicago location, where room and board costs align with city living expenses.
Families should use net price calculators and financial aid estimators to determine personalized costs based on their specific financial circumstances, as individual aid packages may vary significantly from the average figures.
Information Resources Management.
39 graduates
Cloud Computing.
32 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics.
33 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
245 graduates
Computer Support Specialist.
26 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of The Cumberlands Similar quality tier (#289 ranked) | KY | 71% | $45,036 | #289 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Depaul University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/depaul-university/analysis.
Strong outcomes with accessible admission
DePaul University ranks #290 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with strong-tier performance at the 82.2nd percentile. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private nonprofit university maintains moderately selective admission with a 73.5% acceptance rate while delivering well above average outcomes across access and mobility measures.
DePaul enrolls 30.7% Pell-eligible students and 30.2% first-generation students, demonstrating substantial commitment to serving diverse student populations. Graduates earn $2,779 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 66.6th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $68,751 ten years after enrollment, placing DePaul in the 85th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. The institution's mobility quadrant designation as Opportunity Builders reflects its focus on converting educational access into career advancement for students from varied economic backgrounds.
Students should view DePaul as a target school rather than a safety, particularly for popular business and technology programs that may be more competitive than the overall admission rate suggests. The institution's urban Chicago location and strong career outcomes make it attractive to students throughout the Midwest, creating consistent application demand.
For students building balanced college lists, DePaul represents a solid middle-ground option between highly selective institutions and open-access universities. Students with SAT scores above 1200 or strong high school records should expect favorable admission consideration, while those below this threshold should prepare stronger application materials to demonstrate fit and motivation.
DePaul graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their careers, with median earnings rising from $54,695 six years after enrollment to $62,341 at eight years and $68,751 at ten years, representing 25.7% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 4,879 graduates at six years, 5,321 at eight years, and 5,554 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
Graduates earn $2,779 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing DePaul in the 66.6th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $54,900, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The earnings distribution spans from $42,705 at the 25th percentile to $101,987 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and varied career trajectories. Approximately 23.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
DePaul offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Computer Game Programming ranks #1 nationally, producing 159 graduates with median earnings of $77,282 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
General Studies ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Illinois, graduating 141 students with median earnings of $71,435 and a value score of 98.9. Accounting Technology ranks #23 nationally and #1 in Illinois, with 245 graduates earning $80,614 and a value score of 92.0.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #45 nationally and #2 in Illinois, graduating 283 students with median earnings of $79,506. Advertising ranks #15 nationally and #2 in Illinois, producing 189 graduates with median earnings of $58,268.
These programs reflect DePaul's strength in business, technology, and professional preparation, with several achieving top-tier national rankings.
Santa Clara University Similar quality tier (#297 ranked) | CA | 44% | $109,183 | #297 | Compare |
University Of San Francisco Similar quality tier (#299 ranked) | CA | 51% | $89,812 | #299 | Compare |
Northeastern University Similar quality tier (#305 ranked) | MA | 6% | $92,538 | #305 | Compare |
Case Western Reserve University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#276 ranked) | OH | 29% | $87,989 | #276 | Compare |
