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Return on Investment Analysis

DePaul University ROI Analysis

Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.

Quick answer

USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at DePaul University costs about $177,840 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $54,695 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 9 years (20-year ROI: 121%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$177,840

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$19,695/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

9 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

121%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

DePaul University's in-state tuition is $44,460. One year after graduation, alumni earn $47,990. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $54,695, and after ten years, earnings reach $68,751. The median debt for graduates is $23,168, and 47.2% of students receive financial aid.

Based on the provided data, a graduate's earnings one year after graduation are slightly higher than the annual tuition cost. The five-year earnings are notably higher than the tuition cost. The ten-year earnings are significantly higher than the tuition cost.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

The Numbers

Annual Tuition (In-State)

$44,460

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,168

Median Earnings (5yr)

$54,695

Graduation Rate

70%

Receive Financial Aid

47%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
Business Administration, Management and Operations $177,840 $125,880 922%
Accounting and Related Services $177,840 $89,196 509%
Finance and Financial Management Services $177,840 $79,506 401%
Computer Programming $177,840 $110,780 752%
Law $177,840 $83,472 445%
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication $177,840 $74,574 345%
Marketing $177,840 $67,367 264%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $177,840 $80,373 410%
Psychology, General $177,840 $47,752 43%
Film/Video and Photographic Arts $177,840 $43,038 -10%
Communication and Media Studies $177,840 $54,707 122%
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $177,840 $71,435 310%
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods $177,840 $62,488 209%
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General $177,840 $54,773 122%
Computer Software and Media Applications $177,840 $106,920 709%
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods $177,840 $53,114 104%
Political Science and Government $177,840 $52,563 98%
Information Science/Studies $177,840 $109,827 742%
Design and Applied Arts $177,840 $52,942 102%
Human Computer Interaction $177,840 $109,663 740%
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft $177,840 $32,058 N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management $177,840 $115,685 807%
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas $177,840 $59,288 173%
Applied Mathematics $177,840 $101,569 649%

Peer Comparison

121%

20yr ROI

191%

20yr ROI

105%

20yr ROI

103%

20yr ROI

159%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$177,840
Median Debt$23,168

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$177,840

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, DePaul University has an estimated 20-year ROI of 121%. The total 4-year cost is $177,840 and graduates earn a median of $54,695 within 5 years.

Methodology

ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).

The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.

Back to DePaul University Colleges in Illinois Compare Schools ROI Rankings