DePaul University
DePaul University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
DePaul University at a Glance
DePaul University is a private Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul. In 1998, it became the largest Catholic university in terms of enrollment in North America. Following in the footsteps of its founders, DePaul places special emphasis on recruiting first-generation students and others from disadvantaged backgrounds.
1898
128 years old
$1.1B
$1.15 billion (2025)
20,637
14,338 undergrad · 6,299 grad
862
36 acres
Identity
Is DePaul University Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, DePaul University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $68,751 — 28% above average — while paying $30,902/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at DePaul University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How DePaul University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 17 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #2 | Marquette University | 51 | $31,487 | $78,257 |
| #3 | University of St Thomas | 48 | $29,155 | $73,739 |
| #4 | Mercy University | 43 | $14,072 | $52,055 |
| #5 | Quinnipiac University | 39 | $40,675 | $83,759 |
| #6 | Seton Hall University | 39 | $31,446 | $70,196 |
| #8 | DePaul University | 38 | $30,902 | $68,751 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of DePaul University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IL.
Best Programs at DePaul University
The highest-earning program at DePaul University is Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at $60,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $17,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications graduate from DePaul University earns $60,200, while a Music graduate earns $17,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications graduates carry $22,749 in median debt vs. $24,689 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,902/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $60,200 | $60,200 | $22,749 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,300 | $58,300 | $23,332 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $58,200 | $58,200 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $57,600 | $57,600 | $33,332 |
| Mathematics | $54,700 | $54,700 | $24,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,800 | $53,800 | $20,832 |
| Computer Programming | $52,400 | $52,400 | $25,148 |
| Information Science/Studies | $51,800 | $51,800 | $26,762 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $51,000 | $51,000 | $19,333 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $47,700 | $47,700 | $22,002 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,800 | $44,800 | $22,000 |
| Marketing | $43,900 | $43,900 | $21,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $40,900 | $40,900 | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,800 | $38,800 | $25,216 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $38,600 | $38,600 | $22,978 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,900 | $37,900 | $21,859 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,700 | $37,700 | $25,773 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,900 | $36,900 | $22,708 |
| Economics | $36,700 | $36,700 | $20,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,600 | $32,600 | $24,500 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $32,500 | $32,500 | $25,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,900 | $30,900 | $22,667 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $23,000 |
| Sociology | $29,700 | $29,700 | $24,999 |
| Psychology, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $24,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $29,200 | $29,200 | $24,500 |
| Biology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $24,600 |
| Journalism | $27,600 | $27,600 | $23,667 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $26,900 | $26,900 | $20,666 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $24,500 | $24,500 | $22,698 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $22,900 | $22,900 | $24,600 |
| History | $22,200 | $22,200 | $19,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,800 | $21,800 | $25,250 |
| Graphic Communications | $19,100 | $19,100 | $27,000 |
| Music | $17,000 | $17,000 | $24,689 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Student Body
- 14,090 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,902
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,751
- Median Student Debt
- $23,168