DePaul vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

DePaul University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

DePaul vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or St. Mary's 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 Saint Mary's College than DePaul ($27,865 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 25.3% lower than at DePaul University ($14,260 vs. $19,095).
• Saint Mary's College is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePaul (about $7,231 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at St. Mary's College than at DePaul University (about $7,231 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at Saint Mary's College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 32.3% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($38,748 vs. $29,285).

DePaul vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College and DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 10 points higher than at St. Mary's College (1230).
• Incoming DePaul students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at St. Mary's College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at DePaul (3.8).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

DePaul vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($23,332 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($241 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.