At $24,546/yr net price, DePauw University graduates earn $70,527/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $36,527/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,546 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,184 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $70,527/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$36,527/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,267/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,184/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,459/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,646/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,816/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $66,941 | $26,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $57,860 | $26,932 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $43,054 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $24,366 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor | $36,745 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $36,312 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,967 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
80.0% of students at DePauw University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
DePauw's financial picture is mixed. The school-wide median earnings ten years out land above most private liberal arts colleges, and an 80% graduation rate paired with 89% first-year retention means you're likely to finish and finish on time. That combination lowers the biggest financial risk in higher education: paying for years you don't complete. Median debt sits below the borrowing you'd carry at many private schools.
The catch is that the school-wide earnings number hides a wide gap between majors. Computer science and economics graduates out-earn communication, political science, and English graduates by a large margin, and all five carry roughly the same debt load near $27,000. That means an English degree here costs you about the same to finance as a computer science degree but pays back far slower. If you're borrowing full freight and majoring in English or political science, the math gets tight.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about a third of what a family over $110k pays. The jump happens between the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets, where the price nearly climbs $7,000, and again above $110k, where you're paying full sticker-adjusted cost near $34,000.
DePauw is a strong financial fit if you qualify for the lower income tiers and plan to study computer science or economics. You get a high completion rate and manageable debt against solid earnings. If you're a full-pay family aiming your student at English, communication, or political science, the return is weaker, and you should compare what a cheaper school offers for the same degree before committing over $33,000 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DePauw University worth the cost for the average student?
DePauw graduates earn $70,527 ten years after enrollment with median debt of $27,000, creating a reasonable debt-to-income ratio. However, the return varies dramatically by major, with computer science graduates earning $66,941 while English majors average just $38,289.
What are the best paying majors at DePauw University?
Computer science leads at $66,941 in median earnings, followed by economics at $57,860. Liberal arts majors like English ($38,289) and political science ($42,682) show significantly lower returns that may not justify the investment.
How much financial aid does DePauw University actually provide?
The average net price is $24,546 after aid, which represents substantial discounting from the sticker price. Most students receive some form of financial assistance, but families should expect to pay close to the net price figure.
Is DePauw University a good value compared to other schools?
DePauw's 80% graduation rate is solid, but the earnings outcomes depend heavily on your major choice. Students interested in liberal arts should carefully consider whether the debt load makes sense given the lower earning potential in those fields.