Chicago, IL · Private University
Is DePaul University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$68,751
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$44,460
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$44,460
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$177,840
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
70.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,168
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,141
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
DePaul University graduates earn $23,751 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at DePaul University ranked by graduate earnings
90 graduates
57 graduates
42 graduates
282 graduates
25 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at DePaul University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At DePaul University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Management Information Systems and Services: $86,686) and the lowest (Architectural History and Criticism: $30,189) is $56,497/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and ServicesBest ROI | $86,686 | 1.9x |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $82,387 | 1.9x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $81,167 | 1.8x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $80,861 | 1.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $80,614 | 1.8x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $79,863 | 1.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $79,506 | 1.8x |
| Computer Programming | $77,282 | 1.7x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $76,512 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics | $75,420 | 1.7x |
| Real Estate | $75,147 | 1.7x |
| Information Science/Studies | $71,865 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $71,435 | 1.6x |
| Marketing | $67,367 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $62,912 | 1.4x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $62,488 | 1.4x |
| Economics | $60,508 | 1.4x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $58,268 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $56,990 | 1.3x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $54,773 | 1.2x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $52,942 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,563 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $51,978 | 1.2x |
| Sociology | $50,794 | 1.1x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $50,615 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $50,296 | 1.1x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $49,546 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies | $49,242 | 1.1x |
| History | $48,623 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,323 | 1.1x |
| Journalism | $48,283 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $47,752 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,156 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,104 | 1.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $42,412 | 0.9x |
| Graphic Communications | $41,537 | 0.9x |
| Anthropology | $40,730 | 0.9x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $40,247 | 0.9x |
| Music | $36,529 | 0.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,009 | 0.8x |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution(1yr data) | $32,523 | 0.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,058 | 0.7x |
| Architectural History and CriticismLowest(1yr data) | $30,189 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
DePaul University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $68,751 10 years after starting — $23,751 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.3 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.