DePaul vs. Wheaton College

Comparable Facts

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

DePaul University is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Wheaton College is in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Wheaton College 10:1.

DePaul vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or Wheaton 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 Wheaton College than DePaul ($31,356 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 31.9% lower than at DePaul University ($13,010 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $453 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at DePaul than at Wheaton College (about $453 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($29,285 vs. $27,987).

DePaul vs. Wheaton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 130 points higher than at DePaul (1240).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at DePaul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Wheaton College 1260/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Wheaton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 29.9% at Wheaton College.

DePaul vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and Wheaton 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $832 lower median loan debt than DePaul graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,332).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePaul graduates ($232 vs. $241).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.