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Chicago , IL
DePaul University is a private, nonprofit university located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1898, it is the largest Catholic university in the United States and follows the Vincentian tradition of education, focusing on providing a transformative learning experience that emphasizes academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement. With its diverse student body and commitment to inclusive education, DePaul serves as a hub for students from different backgrounds to come together and explore their passions.
DePaul offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across its ten colleges and schools, including business, communication, computer science, education, law, liberal arts and social sciences, music, science and health, and theater arts. The university places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, offering opportunities such as cooperative education, internships, service learning, and study abroad programs. With its strong connections to Chicago's business, arts, and social service communities, DePaul students have ample opportunities for real-world application of their knowledge and skills.
The university's urban location provides students with access to countless cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities. DePaul's Lincoln Park and Loop campuses are located in vibrant neighborhoods that offer a blend of city life and community experiences. The Lincoln Park campus is known for its park-like setting, while the Loop campus is at the heart of Chicago's business and theater districts. DePaul's commitment to Vincentian values, emphasis on hands-on learning, and access to an exciting city make it an excellent choice for students seeking an engaging and impactful college experience.
DePaul University is a private university located in Chicago, IL and set in an urban environment. It has an acceptance rate of 75%. The freshman retention rate at DePaul University is 85.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 68%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 1. Here are some vital information on important things to consider about DePaul University.
Quick Facts
14,188
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$46,776
Tuition
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Learn some relevant facts about admission at DePaul University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 23,729 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
41.7% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 14.15% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 8.5% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 43.07% between 1,200 and 1,399, 36.7% between 1,000 and 1,199, 10.8% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.93% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 30.58, 47.11 between 24-29, 18.73 in the range between 18-23, and 3.58 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 27 and the average GPA was 3.78. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 610 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 590.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by February 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for DePaul University was 85.5% in 2025, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at DePaul University in 2025 was 21,210.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 26.32% for that year. There was a total of 14,188 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 560 international students. The school admitted a total of 1,048 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 8,286 male and 10,344 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,761, and the number of Black American students was 1,098. 3,503 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 640 identified with more than one race. The school also had 6 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 13 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 239 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for DePaul University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $46,776 for all full-time domestic students. DePaul University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $900.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial element. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,104.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at DePaul University amounted to $19,896 a year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 stood at $11,952 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $11,952.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 46,776 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,896 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,104 |
| Total Expense | $ 67,776 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at DePaul University.
According to the most recent data, 2,191 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $31,829.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
9,106 students received some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 9,273. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $28,901,000, and state $31,366,000. The students of DePaul University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $197,475,000, and external in the amount of $2,701,000.
$18,870
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
979 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 231 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $28,901,000 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $2,155,000. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $71,274,000. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $985,000 USD.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at DePaul University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,721. This number included 881 male and 840 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at DePaul University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at DePaul University.
It has a campus size of 41 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 325 open-membership organizations at DePaul University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 3.39% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 6.33 for female students. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Blue Demon Theatre, followed by DePaul Activities Board and Panhellenic Council. Other popular student organizations at this school are Black Student Union and DePaul Community Service Association (DCSA).
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? DePaul University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
DePaul University offers a number of services vital for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of DePaul University.
All in all, campus life at DePaul University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at DePaul University.
Career Counselling
At DePaul University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 54,926 USD.
$54,926
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for DePaul University is 46,776 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for DePaul University is 75%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for DePaul University is 85.5%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.