DePaul Admission Requirements
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DePaul Admission Overview
DePaul admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year DePaul admitted 75.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.8 GPA (A-) and SAT 1140-1330 / ACT 25-31. DePaul is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
DePaul is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
DePaul Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for DePaul University
Acceptance Rate
The DePaul acceptance rate is 75.9%. Last year, 23,729 of 31,266 applicants were admitted. That is the 29th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into DePaul and can you get accepted?
DePaul is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
DePaul University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.8. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
DePaul GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.8Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.8
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at DePaul typically have around a 3.8 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. DePaul is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
37% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #7 in Illinois for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
DePaul Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
DePaul University is test-optional for freshman applicants for 2026-27, including Fall and Winter 2027. Students choose on the Common Application whether to submit SAT or ACT scores; if they apply test-optional, scores that arrive from a testing agency or on a transcript are not used in admission review. Test-optional applicants remain eligible for the University Honors Program and scholarships. Homeschooled applicants and prospective student-athletes must still submit SAT or ACT scores.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.depaul.edu/admission/undergraduate-admission/test-optional-faqs
DePaul SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1140-1330Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
31%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 580
- Math 560
- Composite 1140
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 660
- Composite 1330
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at DePaul typically score around a 1240 SAT (middle 50% 1140–1330) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 81st percentile nationally. DePaul ranks #10 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1140 to 1330
SAT policy
DePaul is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
DePaul ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
25-31Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
12%25th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 23
- Composite 25
75th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 28
- Composite 31
Average ACT
Incoming testers at DePaul typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 25–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. DePaul places #9 among colleges in Illinois and #204 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 31
ACT policy
You may apply to DePaul without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
60% of DePaul University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 30% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the DePaul chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to DePaul University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Feb 1, 2027Days left to Apply
154Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to DePaul University is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
DePaul is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 75.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.8 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1140-1330); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to DePaul University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=144740.
GPA calculator: DePaul University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026