DePaul vs. Illinois College

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

DePaul University is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Illinois College is in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Illinois College 12:1.

DePaul vs. Illinois College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or Illinois College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Illinois College than DePaul ($17,375 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 37% lower than at DePaul University ($12,026 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 18.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois College (about $7,323 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $38,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at DePaul than at Illinois College (about $7,323 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $38,676.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at Illinois College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($31,609 vs. $29,285).

DePaul vs. Illinois College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul or Illinois College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Illinois College and DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 210 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Illinois College 883/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Illinois College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Illinois College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Illinois College (3.63).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 8.2% at Illinois College.

DePaul vs. Illinois College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and Illinois College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• DePaul University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($23,332 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($241 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.