DePaul vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

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

DePaul University is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

DePaul vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or North Central 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 North Central College than DePaul ($23,276 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 23.1% lower than at DePaul University ($14,688 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Central College (about $273 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at DePaul than at North Central College (about $273 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at North Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 16.3% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($34,056 vs. $29,285).

DePaul vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul or North Central 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 North Central College and DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 60 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at North Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

DePaul vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and North Central 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 North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $1,668 lower median loan debt than North Central College graduates ($23,332 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Central College graduates ($241 vs. $258).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.