DePauw University
DePauw University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
DePauw University at a Glance
DePauw University is a private liberal arts college in Greencastle, Indiana, United States. It was founded in 1837 as Indiana Asbury College and changed its name to DePauw University in 1884. The college has a Methodist heritage and was founded to be an ecumenical institution of national stature, "conducted on the most liberal principles, accessible to all religious denominations and designed for the benefit of our citizens in general".
1837
189 years old
$933M
$932.6 million (2024)
1,858
54,000
655 acres
Identity
How to Apply to DePauw University
Official admissions page$20
1 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Is DePauw University Worth It?
DePauw University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $22,264/year, it's priced 9% above average, while graduates go on to earn $70,527 — 31% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 77% graduation rate means roughly 23% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How DePauw University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 44 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 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #3 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #4 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #5 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #6 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of DePauw University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IN.
Best Programs at DePauw University
The highest-earning program at DePauw University is Computer Science at $64,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $28,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from DePauw University earns $64,500, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $28,200. 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 Science graduates carry $24,625 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,264/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 Science | $64,500 | $64,500 | $24,625 |
| Economics | $52,900 | $52,900 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,000 | $43,000 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $39,300 | $39,300 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $31,500 | $31,500 | $25,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $28,200 | $28,200 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Greencastle, IN
- Student Body
- 1,905 students
- Admission Rate
- 57%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,264
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,527
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000