Selective Private · Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Calculate your DePaul odds

Quick Facts

Acceptance rate
TypePrivate · Selective Private
SettingCampus setting

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.

Getting In

DePaul University is among the most selective institutions in the country. The application is read holistically. Test scores and GPA establish baseline academic credibility but rarely drive the final decision. The rest of the application (activities, recommendations, and especially essays) reveals who you are and what you would add to the community.

Personalized estimate

What are your actual odds at DePaul?

Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.

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Beyond the Numbers

DePaul is best known for the Driehaus College of Business, the Theatre School, and Lincoln Park and Loop campuses in Chicago. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.

DePaul essay tools

Score, brainstorm, or revise DePaul essays with tools tuned to DePaul's prompts.

DePaul vs. Peer Schools

Side-by-side comparison with similar Selective Private schools applicants typically consider.

SchoolAcceptSAT mid-50Net price
DePaul This page
Tufts9.5%1490–1550$39,998
Boston College16.4%1440–1540$41,704
BU11.1%1420–1530$24,402
Northeastern5.2%1440–1540$30,915
Tulane14.0%1400–1520$39,949

Sources

All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with DePaul's admissions office before applying.

Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect DePaul's most recent publicly published admit cycle.