DePaul University — ROI, Cost & Payback
DePaul University charges a net price of $30,902/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $123,608. Graduates earn a median $68,751 ten years after entry, $20,391/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.1 years — a 20-year net return of $284,212, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
DePaul University's 6.1-year payback ranks #530 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 59% of them, and #19 of 116 in Illinois.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $30,902/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $123,608 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $68,751 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $20,391/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,168 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $284,212 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on DePaul University's own numbers. Net price $30,902 × 4 years = $123,608 total. Median earnings $68,751 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $20,391 a year of premium. $123,608 ÷ $20,391 = 6.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $284,212. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do DePaul University students graduate with?
A median $23,168 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $68,751 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of DePaul University students graduate?
68% finish their degree — 32% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $123,608 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $181,776 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is DePaul University expensive compared with other Illinois colleges?
Its $30,902 net price runs $17,152 above the $13,750 median across the 116 Illinois colleges we profile, or $68,608 more across the full degree.