At $29,141/yr net price, DePaul University graduates earn $68,751/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $34,751/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,141 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $116,564 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,751/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$34,751/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,168 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,758/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,181/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,576/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,294/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,894/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $100,096 | $52,402 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $99,547 | $55,664 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $96,644 | |
| Taxation. | Master | $93,076 | $47,833 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $86,867 | $54,516 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Master | $86,550 | $47,832 |
| Computer Programming. | Master | $85,206 | $61,500 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $82,440 |
The Risk Factor
70.0% of students at DePaul University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
DePaul gives you a solid but uneven financial return. Median debt sits below the typical graduate's first-year earnings, which means most of you can clear what you borrowed without it swallowing your budget. A 70% graduation rate and 87% retention mean you're likely to finish and earn the degree you're paying for, so the risk of dropping out with debt and no credential is lower here than at many private schools.
The payoff depends heavily on what you study. Computer Science graduates out-earn the school median by more than $10,000, and Chicago's tech and finance employers give you a real regional market for those skills. Management Information Systems and Accounting both land in the low $60,000s while carrying some of the lightest debt loads on campus, making them the most efficient dollar-for-dollar choices. Chicago is a major corporate accounting hub, so that degree connects directly to local hiring.
The listed programs skew technical and quantitative, so if your interests run toward the humanities or arts, the earnings picture here is unknown from this data, and you should ask DePaul for outcomes in your specific field before committing.
The main financial risk is the sticker. At a private-nonprofit price, borrowing more than these programs justify is easy if you pick a lower-paying major. Watch the net price tiers: if your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $24,000 a year, but that figure barely moves as income drops, so lower-income families carry a heavy relative load. Above $110,000, you pay close to $36,000 with little discount.
DePaul fits you if you're heading into computing, information systems, or accounting and want a Chicago job market. Look harder elsewhere if you need a cheaper option or plan to major in a field not shown here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DePaul University worth the cost?
DePaul's ROI depends heavily on your major. Business and computer science graduates earn $86,000-$100,000 annually, which justifies the $29,141 yearly cost, but many other programs don't deliver strong enough earnings to offset the investment.
What are the highest paying majors at DePaul University?
Business Administration leads at $100,096 average salary, followed by IT Management at $99,547 and Computer Science at $96,644. These tech and business programs offer the best financial returns for DePaul graduates.
How much debt do DePaul University students graduate with?
The median debt is $23,168, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, 30% of students don't graduate within six years, meaning some take on debt without earning a degree.
Does DePaul University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $29,141 represents significant aid off the sticker price, but this is still expensive for a school with average academic selectivity. Students should compare aid packages carefully against potential earnings in their chosen field.