Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Chicago, Illinois
73.5% Acceptance Rate
DePaul University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
73.5%Acceptance Rate
3.8Avg GPA
1254Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$59,467Annual Cost
$68,751Grad Salary
30.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
73.5%
Avg GPA
3.8
Avg SAT
1254
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1130–1340
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Need-Based Aid
30.7% receive Pell
DePaul University, established in 1898 in Chicago, Illinois, is the nation's largest Catholic university, acclaimed for film and business. Ranked in the top 130 national universities, it features downtown and Lincoln Park campuses with cutting-edge theaters and labs.
DePaul combines Vincentian values with urban opportunities, offering internships in Chicago's thriving industries and a diverse, socially conscious student body.
DePaul University Acceptance Rate
DePaul University is moderately selective — 73.5% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What DePaul University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 73.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.35
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
DePaul University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for DePaul University is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 108 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
DePaul University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at DePaul University is 3.8. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.50 and 3.8, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.00–4.20.DePaul University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.40 – 3.59
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.39
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No DePaul-specific supplemental essay; the Common App personal essay isn't required but is encouraged for test-optional applicants
- Test-optional applicants are reviewed in a separate pool with deeper attention to high school curriculum rigor and grades
- Strobel Honors Accountancy Program and Pathways Honors Program require no separate application - qualified students are automatically notified at acceptance
- The general University Honors Program requires a separate post-admission application with additional essay questions
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at DePaul University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on DePaul University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
DePaul University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if DePaul University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into DePaul University Without SAT or ACT?
DePaul University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
DePaul University Average SAT Score: 1254
The average SAT score of admitted students at DePaul University is 1254 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1254 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? DePaul University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1130, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at DePaul University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 610 | 560 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 625 | 570 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1254 | 1130 | 1340 |
Below 1130, you're behind most admitted students; at 1340 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into DePaul University with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of DePaul University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
DePaul University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at DePaul University is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 28 |
| ACT English | 29 | 25 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into DePaul University with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of DePaul University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at DePaul University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for DePaul University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
DePaul University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Submit the optional Common App essay if you're applying test-optional
DePaul reviews test-optional applicants in a separate pool with deeper scrutiny of your curriculum and grades. The optional essay gives you one more way to strengthen that specific file.
Don't hunt for a DePaul supplement - there isn't one
DePaul has no school-specific supplemental essay. Redirect any time you'd spend searching for one into your Common App main essay and activities list instead.
Know Business/health-track honors need no extra application
The Strobel Honors Accountancy Program and Pathways Honors Program require no separate application - qualified admits are automatically flagged and notified at acceptance. Nothing extra to submit beyond a strong overall file.
Plan for a second application if you want general University Honors
Unlike the business/health tracks, the general University Honors Program requires a separate post-admission application with additional essay questions - easy to miss if you assume admission alone covers it.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume "test-optional" means identical review to test-submitters. DePaul explicitly reviews test-optional files separately with more attention to curriculum rigor and grades, so a thin or unchallenging course schedule stands out more in that review.
DePaul University Profile
Full Name
DePaul University
City
Chicago
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60604
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a DePaul University Degree Worth It?
At $59,467/year against a $68,751 median graduate salary, DePaul University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $76,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.54%.
How much does a degree from DePaul University Cost?
The sticker price is $59,467/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
30.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 47.2% take federal loans at DePaul University — file your FAFSA early and list DePaul University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a DePaul University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $68,751 — about 69% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than DePaul University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 1213 | 26 |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | 1211 | 26 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as DePaul University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than DePaul University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at DePaul University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About DePaul University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at DePaul University run about $68,751 a year.
At about $59,467 a year, DePaul University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 30.7% receive a Pell Grant at DePaul University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 73.5%, DePaul University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at DePaul University average a 3.8 GPA.
DePaul University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.5 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.4, DePaul University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at DePaul University — aim above 1254, ideally within the 1130–1340 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for DePaul University is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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