College Intel
← Back to colleges

DePaul University

Private

Chicago, IL

Visit website ↗

DePaul University is a private large school in Chicago, IL, enrolling about 14,090 undergraduates. DePaul University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 76%. Its highest-earning reported major is Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services), where graduates report median earnings of $113,645/year four years out. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate76%
SAT range1140–1330
ACT range25–31
Undergrads14,090
Yield (admits who enroll)13%
Next deadlineNov 15, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$63,052
4-year grad rate69%
Median earnings, 10yr out$68,751

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against DePaul University's numbers?

Check your chances here

How DePaul University weighs your application

From DePaul University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankImportant
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresVery important
Application essayConsidered
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationConsidered
Volunteer workImportant
Work experienceImportant
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Important
BUILD YOUR FIT SCORESee how DePaul University actually weighs your profile, free, no account needed
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what DePaul University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans46%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out62%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$59,016/yr
Area Studies$49,872/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$61,216/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Management Information Systems and Services$94,197/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$93,719/yr
Accounting and Related Services$93,592/yr
Business/Managerial Economics$93,563/yr
Marketing$78,164/yr
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$76,420/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$74,847/yr
Hospitality Administration/Management$71,556/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$71,045/yr
Journalism$61,708/yr
Communication and Media Studies$56,014/yr
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Graphic Communications$45,028/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management$113,645/yr
Computer Programming$101,315/yr
Computer Software and Media Applications$96,616/yr
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications$91,007/yr
Computer and Information Sciences, General$84,554/yr
Information Science/Studies$82,551/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$57,957/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$54,208/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$52,608/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$50,460/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$62,693/yr
History
History$48,857/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$86,444/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$89,908/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution$53,498/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$52,622/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$55,664/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$100,185/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$68,180/yr
Political Science and Government$58,163/yr
Sociology$52,791/yr
Anthropology$50,780/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$55,213/yr
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$46,969/yr
Music$44,756/yr
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$44,095/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$37,085/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity2,719
Typical room charge$11,352
Typical board charge$4,716

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does DePaul University look for in applicants?

Per DePaul University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates standardized test scores, rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is DePaul University's acceptance rate?

DePaul University in Chicago, IL admits approximately 76% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for DePaul University?

Admitted students at DePaul University typically score between 1140–1330 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for DePaul University?

Admitted students at DePaul University typically score between 25–31 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does DePaul University cost?

DePaul University's total cost of attendance is reported at $63,052 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for DePaul University?

DePaul University's earliest deadline is Nov 15, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does DePaul University require students to live on campus?

No -- DePaul University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

Comparing DePaul University against another school?

Open the comparison view