Greencastle, IN · Private University
Is DePauw University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$70,527
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$57,070
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$57,070
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$228,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.24x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
80.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$24,546
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
DePauw University graduates earn $25,527 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 DePauw University ranked by graduate earnings
45 graduates
50 graduates
19 graduates
67 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at DePauw University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At DePauw University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $93,572) and the lowest (Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: $27,414) is $66,158/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $93,572 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $87,437 | 1.5x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $68,130 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $60,137 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,425 | 1.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $52,656 | 0.9x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherLowest(1yr data) | $27,414 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| DePauw University | 1.24x | $70,527 | Average ROI |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | 1.27x | $70,871 | Average ROI |
| Hobart William Smith Colleges | 1.09x | $68,831 | Average ROI |
| Muhlenberg College | 1.15x | $69,107 | Average ROI |
| Lake Forest College | 1.14x | $61,825 | Average ROI |
| Gettysburg College | 1.11x | $71,517 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
DePauw University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $70,527 10 years after starting — $25,527 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.4 years, a reasonable timeline.
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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.