DePauw University
#1 Best Communications Colleges in Indiana- Graduation Rate
- 77% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $70,527 A
- Top 7% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $22,264 D+
- 30% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 57% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Communications Colleges in Indiana.
Every $1 spent returns $20.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,689,978.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 73% more than the national college median.
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A 77% graduation rate — 35% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.6%
- Top 42%
- Patents
- 38
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 47
- Downstream influence
Why DePauw University Matters
DePauw University is a private liberal arts college in Greencastle, IN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,905
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose DePauw University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 57% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1200–1410. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,264 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $70,527 ten years after enrolling — 73% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 82% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
DePauw University has a strong earning potential for graduates, with a median income of $70,527 ten years after enrollment. This figure highlights the university's ability to prepare students for successful careers in various fields, particularly in social sciences, communications, and the sciences.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for DePauw, but the graduation rate stands at 77%. This suggests that most students successfully complete their degrees, which is a positive indicator of student support and engagement. The university's acceptance rate of 57% indicates a moderately selective admissions process, allowing a diverse range of students to access the educational opportunities available.
In terms of practical considerations, the net price at DePauw is $22,264, with a median debt of $27,000 for graduates. While the Pell Grant rate is relatively low at 16%, students who thrive here are often those who are engaged in the community and take advantage of the strong academic programs. DePauw's focus on preparing students for the workforce can lead to solid financial outcomes post-graduation.
Rankings
- #1 Best Communications Colleges in Indiana
- #2 Best Colleges in Indiana
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Indiana
- #2 Best Computer Science Colleges in Indiana
- #2 Best Data Science Colleges in Indiana
- #3 Best Biology Colleges in Indiana
- #4 Best Psychology Colleges in Indiana
Can I Get In?
How selective DePauw University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into DePauw University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Greencastle, Indiana, DePauw University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,340. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- SAT Average
- 1340
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1200–1410
- ACT Range
- 28–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,094
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 16%
- Applicants
- 5,708
- Admitted
- 3,756
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend DePauw University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at DePauw University is $59,070, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,264. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,820 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $59,070
- Out-of-State
- $59,070
- Avg Net Price
- $22,264
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,820
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,957
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,979
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,225
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is DePauw University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of DePauw University earn a median of $70,527, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $58,476
- 8 Years
- $64,303
- 10 Years
- $70,527
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (434)
- 85%
- 100% (434)
- 85%
- 100% (434)
- 85%
- 100% (434)
- 85%
How DePauw Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is DePauw University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, DePauw University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,264/year ($89,056 total). Graduates earn $70,527 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,779,034 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,689,978 (20.0× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 77% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,056
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,779,034
- Net Return
- $1,689,978
- ROI Multiple
- 20.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,264
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does DePauw University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
DePauw University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.91%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $117,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.91%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $117,700
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
DePauw University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 38 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.55%
- Top 42% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 38
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 47
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,136,655
- Investment Income
- $-27,842,032
Top Programs
The fields DePauw University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Social Sciences 16%
- Communications 14%
- Biology & Biomedical 12%
- Computer Science & IT 10%
- Psychology 9%
- Visual & Performing Arts 8%
- Health Professions 4%
- English & Literature 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for DePauw University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into DePauw University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Greencastle, Indiana, DePauw University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,340. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend DePauw University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at DePauw University is $59,070, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,264. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,820 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is DePauw University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of DePauw University earn a median of $70,527, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does DePauw University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
DePauw University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.91%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $117,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is DePauw University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at DePauw University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to DePauw University.
- Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter, MN · Close peer76% grad $65,607 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wofford CollegeSpartanburg, SC · Close peer82% grad $68,964 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augustana CollegeRock Island, IL · Close peer76% grad $62,971 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Centre CollegeDanville, KY · Close peer83% grad $66,240 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Norton, MA · Close peer74% grad $67,725 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Lawrence UniversityCanton, NY · Close peer79% grad $67,258 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is DePauw University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at DePauw University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note