Is DePaul University a Good School? An Expert Evaluation

As an education advisor with over 15 years experience in the industry, prospective students often ask me "is DePaul really a good school or just hype?" While its Chicago location provides uniqueness, the quality of its academics, student life, faculty and outcomes warrant legitimate praise as well.

Let‘s thoroughly unpack the key facets that contribute to DePaul‘s reputation as a reputable institution of higher learning, while also taking a balanced view on areas needing improvement. As your guide, I aim to empower you with the insights needed to determine if DePaul is worth your investment.

Academic Excellence with Real-World Relevance

Out of over 300 undergraduate and graduate pathways from acting to zoology, DePaul students enjoy exceptional flexibility to pursue their intellectual passions. But how do these offerings stack up against competitors and weave in that real-world knowledge?
Highly Regarded Specific Programs

While no single institution can dominate every discipline, DePaul accrues consistently high marks and rankings in fields like:

• Business: #73 undergraduate nationwide (US News), #1 in Chicago (Bloomberg BusinessWeek)
• Computing/Game Design: Top 100 graduate computer science (US News), #2 graduate game design program globally (Princeton Review)
• Education: #51 nationwide by graduate schools rankings (US News)
• Law: Top 100 law school (#97, US News), #7 for trial advocacy (US News)
• Music/Theater: Among America‘s most outstanding music/theater schools for undergraduates (Fiske Guide to Colleges 2023)

Within these subjects, students access specialized faculty talent and industry-standard facilities, creating prime springboards into dynamic career pathways.

Supportive Small Class Environments

Undergraduates navigate through classes averaging just 22 students, allowing for personalized mentoring critical during formative college years. This environment facilitates impactful student-faculty engagement, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1 compared to 25:1 at Loyola or 51:1 for University of Illinois at Chicago.

Real-World Relevant Faculty Leaders

Like Dr. Rebecca Michel – an award-winning accounting professor drawing from her Big Four executive experience to enrich lessons. Or Dr. Jessica Horowitz, a theater professor and professional director who‘s staged productions from Broadway to London‘s West End.

These highly credentialed academics inject real-time industry perspectives into their courses. Over 80% hold terminal degrees in their specialities compared to just 23% of instructors at public research colleges (National Center for Education Statistics).

Flexible Pathways

Beyond tailored academic programs and high caliber professors, DePaul promotes self-directed education through study abroad exchanges (250+ partnerships), undergraduate research collaborations with faculty, and interdisciplinary degree tracks blending fields like computing with creativity or business with behavioral sciences.

With guided support, DePaul furnishes enriching, highly customizable pathways to match intellectual curiosities with career ambitions.

An Animated Campus Culture United by Community

DePaul exudes a spirited yet inclusive campus culture where students from an immense diversity of backgrounds can find their niche.
A Microcosm of America‘s Melting Pot

Hailing from nearly every state across over 80 countries, DePaul students form a vibrant micrososm of ethnicities, faiths, economic strata and experiences. Nearly 25% represent first-generation college attendees while over 40% classify as minority populations.

This richness empowers students to expand worldviews through exposure to those from walks of life far different than their own upbringing. It also authentically reflects the diversity of perspectives found in modern workplaces – a benefit as graduates enter professional roles.

Housing: Comfortable Homes Away from Home

Seeking community beyond the classroom, over half of undergraduates live in DePaul housing like Munroe Hall with its cozy, apartment-style units complete with kitchens, living rooms, and WiFi. Trained resident advisors further the welcoming environment through peer mentoring and organizing social activities for those adapting to big-city life.

Over 200+ Student Orgs: Something For Everyone

Clubs span interests areas like cultural heritage, community service, sustainability, faith, Greek life, hobby-focused and more. Standouts include DePaul‘s largest student organization, Student Activities Board (SAB) coordinating over 150 annual arts/entertainment events alongside genre-leading radio station (WDRV) providing hands-on broadcasting opportunities.

Approximately 30% go Greek by joining societies focused both on socializing and service – logging over 60,000 philanthropy hours last year alone.

Go Blue Demons!

DePaul proudly competes within NCAA Division I representing the Big East Conference through programs like basketball, soccer, cross country, golf and more. Beyond players, spirited Blue Crews rally fans at games and matches with giveaways and entertainment.

Intramural sports like dodgeball or ultimate frisbee motivate recreational engagement, as over 15% of the student body participates annually in wellness programming varying in intensities.

Diving Into Dollars: Breaking Down the Price Tag

While its prime Chicago location provides uniqueness, DePaul accompanies hefty tuition typical of private institutions albeit with ample assistance to offset totals. How does it price compare?
The Sticker Shock

Factoring annual tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation and personal costs – a four-year bachelor‘s degree requires an estimated total investment of:

• DePaul University: $200,000 ($50k x 4 years)
• Average Private College: $177,800 ($44.5k x 4)
• Average Public In-State School: $103,800 ($26k x 4)

Yes, DePaul elicits financial sacrifices, pricing above public education yet aligning with private school trends.

Alleviating Expenses Through Aid

However, over 90% of enrolled students offset tuition through $345 million in total assistance awarded last year alone via:

• Institutional aid/scholarships: awarded purely on merit and/or academics, not financial need.
• Need-based grants: for qualifying middle- and low-income applicants.
• Work-study programs: part-time campus job opportunities.

Considering living costs, DePaul‘s net tuition often compares favorably depending on eligibility for support.

Post-Grad Salaries Versus Investment

Within six months after donning caps and gowns, over 90% of DePaul alumni find gainful employment or continuation into graduate programs – signaling employers acknowledge the academic rigor behind a DePaul diploma.

Early career earnings over first five years shake out to approximately:

• Computer Science/IT: $67,000
• Accounting/Finance: $58,000
• Business Administration: $55,000
• Nursing/Health Sciences: $60,000
• Communication/Media: $50,000
• Psychology/Social Work: $45,000

Salaries vary significantly across majors, although most DePaul graduates financially recover investments through elevated lifetime earnings compared to stopping studies sooner.

External Validations Support Reputation

As a mid-sized private institution, DePaul earns recognition as a moderately selective, academically rigorous university (about 70% acceptance rate). What affirmations support its pedigree?

National Acclaim

• U.S. News & World Report: Nationally ranked Tier 1 university (#120) and highly regarded graduate programs
• Wall Street Journal: Top Illinois university for graduate employment rates
• Forbes, Money: Named among 100 top value universities given cost/quality ratios

Student Satisfaction Metrics

• Niche: A student favorite earning an A+ rating for overall tremendous collegiate experience
• Princeton Review: Lauded as a “Best Midwestern” and “Most Engaged in Community Service” college

While not an Ivy League, DePaul earns praise as a well-respected institution regionally and across disciplines.

The Final Word: An Outstanding Option If the Fit Feels Right

In closing my evaluation, I summarize DePaul University as a commendable academic institution granting students access to quality faculty talent, flexible degree offerings, an engaging campus culture, and prime urban location.

For prospective applicants gravitating towards DePaul‘s particular program strengths or wanting a mid-sized, community-connected campus bathed in big city access, I enthusiastically endorse DePaul as a "good school" well worth adding to their consideration set.

However, families must weigh total costs against graduate outcomes when evaluating overall value comparisons to more affordable public alternatives.

DePaul makes sense for many, but warrants reflection on long-term return coupled with personal academic/social preferences through an informed lens as decision day nears. Yet with an open mind, DePaul can furnish an enriching educational springboard into future possibilities limited only by a graduate‘s ambitions.