How this school serves students from different economic backgrounds, including Pell students, first-generation pathways, and long-term mobility outcomes.
DePaul ranks at the 82.5th percentile nationally for access, demonstrating well above average commitment to serving diverse student populations. The institution maintains moderately selective admission with a 73.5% acceptance rate while enrolling 30.7% Pell-eligible students and 30.2% first-generation students. Transfer students comprise 27.2% of enrollment, showing DePaul's dedication to serving students from multiple educational pathways. Despite accessible admission, students demonstrate strong academic preparation with SAT scores ranking in the 96th percentile nationally. This combination of broad access with maintained academic standards positions DePaul as effectively serving students across economic backgrounds while preserving educational quality.
The connection between DePaul's access and mobility performance reflects institutional systems designed to support student success across economic backgrounds. Earnings outcomes that exceed expectations, combined with substantial enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, indicate DePaul successfully converts educational opportunity into career advancement. The moderate Pell completion gap suggests institutional support systems generally work effectively, though continued attention to outcome equity remains important for institutional mission fulfillment.
DePaul achieves strong mobility outcomes, ranking at the 86.4th percentile nationally and earning designation as an Opportunity Builder institution. The university combines substantial access for low-income students with solid post-graduation outcomes, as low-income graduates earn $54,900 annually. Graduates generate $2,779 in earnings beyond expectations, indicating DePaul adds value beyond what student demographics alone would predict. Pell-eligible students complete degrees at a 67.8% rate compared to the 70.0% overall completion rate, creating a 2.2 percentage point gap that indicates generally effective support systems. The 30.2% first-generation share demonstrates DePaul's role in expanding college opportunity for families without prior higher education experience, converting access into meaningful economic advancement.
Pell-eligible students graduate at a 67.8% rate compared to the overall 70.0% completion rate, creating a 2.2 percentage point gap. This relatively small gap indicates DePaul provides adequate support for lower-income students to succeed academically, though some differences in outcomes persist across income levels.
