DePaul University: Admissions 2027, Fees, Rankings, Scholarships & Courses

DePaul University is a private Catholic university founded in 1898, with campuses in Lincoln Park and the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It offers more than 300 programmes in English, with Indian students commonly considering MS Computer Science, MS Data Science, and Business Analytics. Its quarter-based academic calendar provides Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer intakes.

• US News National Rank: #169 (2026)
• Acceptance Rate: 76% (Fall 2024)
• Intakes: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer
• MS Total Tuition: USD 35,388 - 48,100 (INR 33.9 - 46.0 Lakhs)
• Student Body: 21,210 students; 6% international students from 136 countries
• Post-Study Work: 12-month F-1 OPT, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible programmes
• Campuses: Lincoln Park and the Loop

DePaul also offers graduate assistantships of up to USD 8,000 per year, while eligible Computer Science students may receive CDM tuition waivers of up to USD 19,000. Graduate tuition is locked once students enrol, allowing cohort rates to remain unchanged through the degree. Indian students can explore further options through MS universities in USA.

Popular Courses and Fees at DePaul University 

DePaul University charges graduate tuition on a per-credit-hour basis, with rates varying by academic school. The Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) offers several graduate programmes commonly chosen by Indian students, while the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business offers programmes such as the MBA and Business Analytics. Most programmes take around 18 to 24 months to complete under DePaul’s quarterly academic calendar.

The table below covers 10 postgraduate programmes commonly considered by Indian students at DePaul University. The total tuition figures are calculated using the published per-credit rate and standard programme credit load, with Kellstadt programmes generally carrying a higher per-credit tuition rate than CDM programmes.

The undergraduate table below covers five bachelor tracks Indian applicants shortlist most often. UG tuition runs at a single rate across colleges and is billed annually.

Insider note: Indian applicants cluster in CDM’s MS Computer Science, Data Science, and Cybersecurity because all three carry STEM designation, unlocking the 24-month OPT extension that Kellstadt tracks do not qualify for.

Also check, DePaul University Programs and Fee Guide

DePaul University Admission 2027

DePaul University runs a rolling quarter calendar, so Indian applicants can enter in Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer instead of waiting a full year between cycles. Fall remains the primary intake for MS demand from India.

Planning note: Indian applicants targeting the January 2027 Winter start should courier WES documents by early September 2026, since Indian transcript verification frequently runs six weeks even on the express service.

Also check, DePaul University Admission Guide for Indian Students

DePaul University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

DePaul University sets a minimum 2.5/4.0 GPA for graduate admission, though CDM and Kellstadt track admits typically present higher marks. Indian bachelor’s degrees are recognised on a case-by-case equivalence review.

Postgraduate requirements for Indian applicants:

• Bachelor’s degree with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 minimum (recommended); competitive CS and Cybersecurity admits present 70% or CGPA 7.0/10
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, PTE 53, or Duolingo English Test 115
• WES course-by-course credential evaluation of Indian transcripts
• GRE and GMAT are optional for MS and MBA tracks; strong scores strengthen scholarship review

Undergraduate requirements for Indian applicants:

• Class 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended) from CBSE, ICSE, or state board
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, PTE 53, or DET 115

Key insight: DePaul waives the English test for Indian applicants whose bachelor’s was taught entirely in English, provided the university issues a medium-of-instruction letter. Confirm the specific waiver track with the CDM Graduate Admission Office before skipping the test.

DePaul University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

For an Indian MS student, DePaul University’s total annual cost is USD 45,516 - 53,991 (INR 43.5–51.7 Lakhs), including annual tuition of USD 23,592 - 32,067 and estimated Chicago living expenses of USD 21,924 per year.

DePaul University Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

Tuition varies by college. CDM and Liberal Arts programmes charge a lower per-credit rate; Kellstadt Business tracks charge the highest per-credit rate.

Monthly Cost of Living in Chicago for Indian Students at DePaul University

Chicago generally has a lower cost of living than New York, San Francisco and Boston, making it a comparatively manageable option for international students. Many DePaul students, including international students, live in shared off-campus apartments near the CTA Red Line, which provides convenient access to the Lincoln Park campus and other parts of the city.

Insider note: Sheridan Road and Belden Avenue studios near Lincoln Park stay under $1,100, while Loop-adjacent West Loop rentals cross $1,600. Roommate-sharing on the Red Line saves ₹4 to 5 lakh across the MS.

DePaul University Campus, Facilities and Student Life

DePaul University spans two campuses in Chicago. Lincoln Park houses residential and arts programmes, while the Loop campus in downtown Chicago hosts Kellstadt Business, Law, and CDM’s graduate quarters.

• Location and transport: The CTA Red and Brown Lines connect Lincoln Park to the Loop in twelve minutes; every enrolled student receives a U-Pass covering unlimited bus and rail travel
• Housing: On-campus housing is not guaranteed for graduate students; Indian applicants typically secure private apartments in Lincoln Park, Uptown, or Rogers Park
• Notable facility: The Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Building on Jackson Boulevard hosts Kellstadt classes inside Chicago’s Loop financial district
• Indian community: The Indian Student Association and DePaul Sangam host Diwali, Holi, and Republic Day events across both campuses; 6% international enrolment across 136 countries anchors a large South Asian cohort

What Indian students say: Winter cold is real but classroom heating and covered CTA stations reduce campus exposure; Devon Avenue’s Indian grocery corridor is a fifteen-minute Red Line ride from Lincoln Park, keeping home-style cooking affordable.

DePaul University Scholarships 

DePaul University offers a mix of college-administered graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, and international merit awards. Indian applicants should apply for institutional aid alongside the admission application; deadlines mirror the programme deadline.

Insider note: Graduate assistantship acceptance runs near 20% of the CDM cohort; Indian applicants stronger in Python, Java, or teaching experience convert at a higher rate. Submit the assistantship expression of interest with the admission form, not after.

Also read,

• DePaul University Scholarships
• Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students 2027

DePaul University Rankings

DePaul University sits inside US News’ top 170 national universities and holds strong subject-level positions in Psychology, MBA Entrepreneurship, and Computer Science, though it does not appear in the QS World or THE World top 1,400.

DePaul University has stronger positions in several subject areas. In the U.S. News 2025 rankings, it is ranked #7 in Psychology, #15 in MBA Entrepreneurship, #20 in Public Health and Public Policy, and #30 in Computer Science. In the QS Business and Management Studies 2025 rankings, DePaul is placed in the #601 - 650 global band and #67 among universities in the United States.

Note: Indian applicants filtering universities by QS World rank alone will screen DePaul out; those weighing US News National and subject rankings - the metrics US employers and F-1 visa officers actually recognise - will see a materially stronger placement.

Also read, DePaul University Rankings Analysis

DePaul University offers Indian students a quarter-based academic calendar, private university setting and several STEM-designated master’s programmes that can provide eligible graduates with the full 36-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) period. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business also has a strong focus on entrepreneurship, with its MBA Entrepreneurship programme ranked #15 in the United States by U.S. News. The total investment for a master’s degree is INR 43.5 - 51.7 Lakhs, with the Chicago Loop location providing access to the city’s business and technology employers.

DePaul may be less suitable for students who prioritise a QS World University ranking in the top 500 or require guaranteed on-campus graduate housing. Students comparing Chicago universities can also consider Illinois Institute of Technology based on their preferred ranking, programme and housing requirements.