DePaul vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than DePaul based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 21,210 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

DePaul vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or Kentucky? 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 University of Kentucky than DePaul ($21,958 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kentucky are 16.1% lower than at DePaul University ($16,016 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 240.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $32,497 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.7% higher at DePaul than at University of Kentucky (about $11,859 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 127.1% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($29,285 vs. $12,898).

DePaul vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky and DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 60 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

DePaul vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and Kentucky? 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 University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $582 lower median loan debt than DePaul graduates ($22,750 vs. $23,332).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePaul graduates ($235 vs. $241).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.