Admit rate has ranged 54%–68% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
DePauw University is a small but mighty liberal arts college in rural Indiana, where every student lives on campus and Greek life dominates the social scene. With a 57% acceptance rate and an average GPA of 3.9 for admitted students, it attracts high achievers who thrive in its intimate, immersive academic environment. The school punches above its weight in post-grad outcomes, with 93% of graduates landing jobs or grad school placements and a median starting salary of $55,000.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,905
In-state tuition
$59,070
Out-of-state tuition
$59,070
Location
Greencastle, IN
Sticker Price
$61,430
Acceptance Rate
57%
On-Campus Living
100%
4-Year Graduation Rate
79%
Average Need-Based Aid
$49,430
Average Starting Salary
$55,000
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$70,527
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.2×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
75%
First-year retention
89%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
82%
Pell (lower-income) share
39%
First-generation share
16%
Endowment / student
$489,534
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$66,941
Economics$57,860
Communication and Media Studies$43,054
Political Science and Government$42,682
English Language and Literature, General$38,289
Biology, General$38,289
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
2.10
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
91
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
43"
Annual snow
16.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
111
Scholarly works
4,005
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
37%
From bottom quintile
2%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at DePauw University?
DePauw University's acceptance rate is approximately 57% (Greencastle, IN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for DePauw University?
Admitted students at DePauw University typically score 1200–1410 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does DePauw University cost?
At DePauw University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,264 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend DePauw University?
DePauw University enrolls approximately 1,905 undergraduate students.
Where is DePauw University located?
DePauw University is located in Greencastle, IN.
Admissions
DePauw's admissions process is moderately selective, with a 57% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. and an average admitted student GPA of 3.9. The university is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. (except for international students from countries where SAT/ACT is available), with middle 50% SAT scores ranging 1130–1350 and ACT scores 25–29. Applicants can choose between the Common App or DePauw's own application, with Early Decision deadlines on November 1. About 55% of first-year students receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., with average awards around $49,430.
DePauw offers 75+ majors and minors through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with speech communication/rhetoric being the most popular degree (47 graduates annually). The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and requires all students to complete a senior capstone project. Notable features include:
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
$36,745
Sociology$36,312
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
DePauw's rural Indiana campus is a 24/7 residential community where 100% of students live on campus. Social life revolves around:
Greek life (50% of students report 'lots of options' for parties Wednesday-Saturday)
100+ student organizations, from a cappella groups to philanthropy clubs
Traditions like the Monon Bell football rivalry with Wabash College
Students describe the vibe as 'work hard, play hard' — 19% say there are 'tons of raging parties almost any night,' while others appreciate the tight-knit community forged through four years of shared campus living.
DePauw delivers strong ROI for a liberal arts college:
93% of graduates achieve their desired outcome (employment/grad school)
61% employed immediately with $55k average starting salary
79% 4-year graduation rate (84% in 6 years)
Median earnings 10 years out: $70,527
Money magazine ranks DePauw highly for combining quality, affordability, and outcomes. The Hubbard Center provides robust career support, helping students land positions at top firms and graduate programs.
At $61,430 sticker price, DePauw isn't cheap — but 55% of first-years receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. averaging $49,430. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator shows:
Families earning $0-$39k pay $0 after aid
$40k-$79k households contribute $1,790
$80k-$119k families pay $62,428
Merit scholarships and grants significantly reduce costs for middle-income students. The average aid package totals $53,003, bringing net price down to $30,507 for many.
DePauw offers a rare combo: the intimacy of a small liberal arts college (1,917 undergrads) with the resources and outcomes typically associated with larger universities. Its 100% residential model creates an intense, immersive community where students form lifelong bonds. While Greek life dominates socially, the academic experience is rigorous and personalized — alumni credit the school's emphasis on writing and critical thinking for their career success. For students who want big opportunities (93% positive outcomes) without getting lost in the crowd, DePauw delivers.
DePauw University logo · sourceThe College Tour - DePauw University · sourceCampus Guide: DePauw University - Spokin · sourceDePauw University | Athleticademix · source
