DePaul University (德保罗大学) | International Student Guide: 2026 Programs, Entry Requirements, Costs and Application Support — Ranking, Fees, Admission
Direct Answer
If you are researching DePaul University as an international student in 2026, you need a clear, fact-based starting point. This DePaul University international student guide brings together the key information on programmes, entry pathways, application steps and costs, drawn from the university’s current official public materials. DePaul University (德保罗大学) is a large private university in Chicago offering over 128 undergraduate majors and more than 145 graduate programmes across ten colleges and schools. UNILINK is suitable for providing application information and support based on your background, and this guide is designed to help you understand what the university asks of international applicants before you begin a formal application.
UNILINK provides application information and support based on the applicant’s background. This service does not constitute an admission or visa promise, and all admission decisions are made by DePaul University according to its current entry requirements and communicated through the official offer documentation. If you submit your details, UNILINK aims to contact you within one business day to discuss your options.
About DePaul University
DePaul University was founded in 1898 and has since grown into an institution with 21,210 students enrolled across ten colleges and schools. The university maintains a student-faculty ratio of 17:1, and 97 per cent of courses are taught by faculty members rather than teaching assistants or graduate assistants. For students looking to build a professional network while studying, DePaul offers opportunities to work with more than 250 organisations as part of a degree programme. There are also over 350 student organisations available on campus.
The university’s academic structure includes the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the Driehaus College of Business, the College of Computing and Digital Media, the College of Education, the College of Science and Health, the School of Music, and the Theatre School, among others. The Theatre School was founded in 1925 and remains a distinctive part of the university’s offerings.
For students interested in place-based learning, DePaul runs a Chicago Quarter programme with more than 100 courses that explore community, culture and local issues in the city. This is one way the university integrates its urban location into undergraduate education.
Programmes and Academic Pathways
DePaul University offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. At the undergraduate level, students can choose from over 128 majors. Graduate students have access to more than 145 programmes across disciplines that include business, computing, education, music, and the performing arts. The specific list of available majors and concentrations changes from year to year, so you should check the current official undergraduate and graduate programme pages before finalising your application choices.
For international students who do not yet meet direct entry requirements, there are pathway options that can lead into degree programmes. These pathways are designed to strengthen academic English and subject readiness. The structure, duration and entry points of pathway programmes depend on your prior qualifications and English proficiency, and the exact requirements should be confirmed on the university’s current admissions pages. If you are unsure which route fits your background, you may find it useful to review the comparison of pathway types on the pathway comparison page.
DePaul’s academic calendar and the Chicago Quarter courses also mean that undergraduates encounter a curriculum that connects classroom study with the city. This is not a separate programme but a feature of the undergraduate experience, and it may be relevant if you are looking for a university that actively uses its location as a learning resource.
Entry Requirements for International Students
Admission requirements at DePaul University vary by level of study, programme and applicant background. The university distinguishes between freshman applicants and adult students. Freshman applicants are defined as those under the age of 24 who have completed at least six semesters of high school. Adult students are those aged 24 or older.
For the 2026 autumn and winter intake, all freshman applicants, including international students, should apply through the Common Application. This is the university’s stated application channel for this group, and it is important to follow the instructions on the official admissions page for document submission and deadlines.
Beyond the application platform, international applicants must typically provide evidence of secondary school completion, academic transcripts, and English language proficiency. The university does not publish a single fixed minimum score that applies to all programmes; instead, requirements can differ by college and degree level. You should therefore consult the specific programme page and the international admissions section on DePaul’s website for the current required documents and acceptable test scores. For general guidance on preparing a complete application, the application guide walks through common steps and documents.
Graduate admission requirements are set by each college and programme. These commonly include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and English proficiency scores. Some programmes may ask for standardised test scores, portfolios or auditions, particularly in the performing arts. Because these requirements are programme-specific, you should always refer to the current graduate programme page and the official offer documentation for the most accurate information.
Tuition Fees and Cost Considerations
DePaul University, like most private universities in the United States, charges tuition that varies by programme, level of study and number of credit hours taken per term. The university publishes annual cost estimates that typically include tuition, fees, housing, meals, books and personal expenses. These figures are updated each academic year, and the amounts you see on the official website for the 2026 academic year are the ones you should use for planning.
International students should also budget for health insurance, which is a standard requirement, and for any additional costs related to visa applications and travel. The university’s Student Financial Accounts office provides the most current tuition and fee schedules. Because costs can change between academic years, any specific dollar figures you find on third-party sites should be verified against the official DePaul University tuition page.
If you need help understanding how to plan financially for study abroad, UNILINK can provide information on typical cost structures and point you toward the official resources that list current fees. For document-related questions, including what financial documents you may need for your visa application, the document service guide explains common requirements.
Application Process and Decision Support
Applying to DePaul University as an international student involves several steps: choosing a programme, confirming that you meet the entry requirements, preparing your documents, and submitting your application through the required channel. For freshman applicants in 2026, that channel is the Common Application. For adult undergraduate applicants and graduate applicants, the process may involve a different application portal or a direct application to the specific college, and you should check the current admissions pages for the correct route.
Once you submit your application, the university reviews it according to its published criteria. DePaul reports that 92 per cent of recent graduates have positive career outcomes, which is an indicator of how the university’s programmes connect to employment, though individual results depend on your field, effort and market conditions.
If you want support during the application process, UNILINK can help you understand the requirements and prepare your materials. This support is based on your academic and personal background and does not guarantee admission. All outcomes depend on DePaul University’s current entry criteria and are confirmed only through the official offer letter. After you submit an enquiry, UNILINK aims to contact you within one business day to discuss your situation. You can read more about how UNILINK follows up on enquiries on the follow-up commitment page. For background on UNILINK itself, visit the about page.
FAQ
Q1: What is the student-faculty ratio at DePaul University?
DePaul University has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. This means that for every 17 students, there is one faculty member. The university also states that 97 per cent of courses are taught by faculty rather than teaching assistants or graduate assistants, which can affect the kind of classroom experience you have, especially in introductory and discussion-based courses.
Q2: How many undergraduate and graduate programmes does DePaul offer?
DePaul University offers more than 128 undergraduate majors and over 145 graduate programmes. These are spread across ten colleges and schools, covering fields such as business, computing, liberal arts, education, science, health, music and theatre. The exact list of available programmes may change, so you should consult the current official programme pages for the most up-to-date information.
Q3: Who is considered a freshman applicant at DePaul University?
A freshman applicant is defined as someone under the age of 24 who has completed at least six semesters of high school. For the 2026 autumn and winter intake, all freshman applicants, including international students, should apply through the Common Application. Applicants aged 24 or older are classified as adult students and may follow a different application process.
Q4: Does DePaul University guarantee admission or a visa for international students?
No. Admission decisions are made by DePaul University based on its current entry requirements and are communicated through the official offer letter. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, and the university does not issue visa guarantees. Visa outcomes are determined by the relevant immigration authorities, not by the university or by any application support service.
Q5: What kind of professional experience can students gain while studying at DePaul?
DePaul University states that students have opportunities to work with more than 250 organisations as part of their degree programmes. The specific nature of these opportunities—whether they are internships, projects, clinical placements or other forms of engagement—depends on the programme and college. Additionally, there are over 350 student organisations on campus, which can provide further opportunities for leadership and professional development.
Q6: What is the Chicago Quarter programme at DePaul?
The Chicago Quarter is a programme that includes more than 100 courses focused on community, culture and local issues in Chicago. It is part of the undergraduate curriculum and is designed to connect academic study with the city. This programme is one way DePaul integrates its urban location into the learning experience, and it may be of particular interest if you are looking for a university that emphasises place-based education.
信息来源
- DePaul University, “Home | DePaul University - Chicago, IL,”.
- DePaul University, “About | DePaul University - Chicago, IL,”.
- DePaul University, “Apply | DePaul University - Chicago, IL,”.
- DePaul University, “Undergraduate Majors | DePaul University - Chicago, IL,”.
Last updated: July 2026. Programmes, fees and entry requirements are subject to the institution’s current official pages and offer documentation.