DePaul Admissions 2026: 87.8% Acceptance Rate, GPA, SAT, ACT & Test-Optional Strategy
Direct answer: DePaul University’s latest official Fall 2025/26 FactFile lists 27,462 completed freshman applicants and 24,111 admitted applicants, which equals an 87.8% freshman acceptance rate. DePaul is accessible, but your real chance still depends on grades, course rigor, program choice, writing, recommendation, activities and any special portfolio or audition requirement.
The 87.8% number should not make students careless. DePaul’s regular academic programs are more accessible than highly selective universities, but programs such as School of Music, The Theatre School, Animation, Film and Television, Computing, Business and Health-related paths can require stronger preparation or extra materials.
This guide gives scan-first answers: acceptance rate, GPA, SAT, ACT, test-optional rules, Early Action, Regular Notification, application materials, portfolio/audition notes, Chicago-campus fit, tuition, video guide, FAQs and official DePaul links.
Official Fall 2025/26 FactFile rate: admitted divided by completed applicants.
Average high school GPA for enrolled Fall 2025/26 freshmen.
Fall 2025/26 enrolled freshman SAT middle score range.
Freshman Early Action deadline for September start.
Quick navigation for DePaul applicants
DePaul acceptance rate 2026: answer first
| Search question | Best 2026 planning answer | What applicants should do |
|---|---|---|
| DePaul acceptance rate 2026 | 87.8%, based on official Fall 2025/26 completed freshman applicants and admits. | DePaul is accessible, but do not submit a weak or incomplete application. |
| Applications | 32,524 freshman applications. | Use the completed-applicant rate, not only raw application volume. |
| Applicants | 32,164 freshman applicants. | Applicant volume is large, so scholarship and program competition still matter. |
| Completed applicants | 27,462 completed freshman applicants. | Finish all required materials; incomplete files are not the same as completed applicants. |
| Admitted applicants | 24,111 admitted freshman applicants. | Admission is realistic for prepared students with a clean academic record. |
| Enrolled freshmen | 2,798 freshmen enrolled. | DePaul admits broadly but builds a smaller enrolled class. |
DePaul GPA, SAT and ACT: what is competitive?
GPA answer
3.77 average GPA for Fall 2025/26 enrolled freshmen. DePaul does not publish one guaranteed GPA cutoff for all majors.
SAT answer
1070–1290 was the Fall 2025/26 SAT middle 50% range, with a 1173 mean.
ACT answer
DePaul’s test-optional FAQ lists a recent 23–27 ACT middle-half range for admitted and enrolling freshmen.
Testing policy
Test optional. DePaul considers SAT/ACT if submitted, but test-optional applicants are reviewed without scores.
| Applicant situation | What DePaul may notice | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| GPA near or above 3.77 | Matches or exceeds the latest enrolled-freshman average. | Apply early and focus on scholarship, honors and program-specific materials. |
| GPA 3.1–3.67 | Inside DePaul’s recent middle-half GPA summary from test-optional guidance. | Strengthen essay, recommendation, course rigor and activities. |
| GPA below 3.1 | Below the middle-half GPA guidance, but not automatically impossible. | Explain grade trends, senior-year improvement, context and fit clearly. |
| SAT 1070–1290 | Inside the latest SAT middle 50% range. | Submit if it supports your academic story. |
| ACT 23–27 | Inside DePaul’s test-optional FAQ middle-half ACT summary. | Submit if it strengthens the file; skip if your transcript is stronger without it. |
| Strong transcript, weak test score | DePaul says it carefully reviews grades, rigor and grade trends. | Use test optional and submit the recommended personal essay. |
DePaul application deadlines for freshman applicants
| Application path | Deadline | Classes begin | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action Program | November 15 | September | Best target for stronger scholarship consideration, priority advising and course registration. |
| Regular Notification | February 1 | September | Use if you need more time for grades, essay, recommendation or test decision. |
| School of Music | December 1 | September | Use if applying to Music; prepare audition requirements early. |
| The Theatre School | February 1 | September | Use if applying to Theatre; follow audition/interview requirements carefully. |
| Transfer / Adult Undergraduate | Rolling | Varies | Application and transcript review can happen before the desired start term. |
DePaul freshman application materials: what you actually need
| Material | Official-style detail | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Common Application | DePaul uses the Common Application for freshman applicants. | Submitting Common App without checking DePaul-specific program steps. |
| Transcript | Official transcript is required; DePaul reviews grades, rigor and trends. | Not making sure the counselor/school sent the transcript correctly. |
| Counselor recommendation | Required for freshman applicants. | Requesting it too late or not giving the counselor context. |
| Personal essay | Recommended, especially helpful for test-optional applicants. | Skipping it when GPA, rigor, program fit or grade trend needs explanation. |
| SAT/ACT | Optional; DePaul will consider scores if submitted and not test optional. | Submitting scores that are weaker than the transcript. |
| Special program materials | Music and Theatre require audition/interview; Animation requires creative portfolio and creative statement. | Missing the program requirement while assuming general admission materials are enough. |
Program strategy: DePaul is accessible, but some paths need more
| Applicant path | What matters most | How to strengthen the file |
|---|---|---|
| Driehaus College of Business | Math readiness, grades, leadership, communication and career direction. | Show accounting, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, job experience or business projects. |
| Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media | Math, technology interest, portfolio or technical experience where relevant. | Show coding, design, game, data, cybersecurity, animation or media work. |
| Animation majors | Creative portfolio and creative statement in addition to the application. | Prepare portfolio early and make the creative statement specific. |
| School of Music | Music deadline, audition preparation and artistic readiness. | Apply by December 1 and follow audition instructions exactly. |
| The Theatre School | Audition or interview performance plus program fit. | Prepare material early and check the Theatre School timeline separately. |
| College of Science and Health | Science and math grades, rigor and health/STEM interest. | Show lab science, AP/IB/honors courses, research, service or healthcare exposure. |
Essay, activities and test-optional strategy
DePaul admissions video guide
Watch the video, then use the checklist below to turn general DePaul advice into a stronger application plan.
DePaul application checklist: scan before submitting
DePaul tuition and cost points applicants should know
| Cost question | 2026–2027 official detail | Action for families |
|---|---|---|
| Standard full-time undergraduate tuition | $16,060 per term and $48,180 annual for 12–18 credit hours for most undergraduate colleges, 2026 admit year. | Use this for Business, Communication, Computing, Education, Science and Health, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. |
| Music and Theatre tuition | $16,801 per term and $50,403 annual for 2026 admit year. | Performing arts applicants should budget separately from standard undergraduate rates. |
| Comprehensive fee | $300 per term or $900 annual for full-time undergraduates without summer. | Add required fees to tuition when estimating real cost. |
| Books and supplies estimate | $1,104 in the 2026–27 undergraduate cost-of-attendance budget. | Budget for materials, technology and course tools. |
| Living expenses | $20,766 for dependent students living in on-campus or off-campus housing; $5,721 living with parents. | Chicago housing plan changes total cost heavily. |
| Other estimated costs | Transportation $1,290, miscellaneous personal expenses $4,794, and average loan fees. | Do not compare tuition only; compare full cost of attendance. |
International and transfer applicants: quick answers
Application: DePaul international freshman applicants use the Common Application and submit secondary school documents.
Testing: SAT/ACT is not required for students applying from outside the United States, but English proficiency rules still matter.
Minimum guidance: DePaul lists IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80 and Duolingo 115 for regular admission in agent/advisor guidance.
Conditional guidance: Lower English scores may be eligible for conditional admission.
Rate context: DePaul’s FactFile lists an 88.8% transfer acceptance rate for Fall 2025/26.
Do next: Send college transcripts early and check program-specific transfer rules.
Deadline style: Transfer and adult undergraduate admission takes place on a rolling basis.
Do next: Apply early enough for credit review, aid, advising and registration.
Common mistakes that hurt DePaul applicants
- Thinking 87.8% means automatic: DePaul still evaluates academics, rigor, recommendations, activities and writing.
- Skipping the essay when test optional: DePaul encourages test-optional applicants to submit the optional essay.
- Submitting weak SAT/ACT scores: Test optional lets you choose whether scores help.
- Missing November 15: Early Action gives stronger scholarship consideration.
- Ignoring program requirements: Music, Theatre and Animation need extra materials.
- Weak senior-year effort: Grade trends matter in DePaul’s holistic review.
- Not using Chicago fit: DePaul’s city location can support career, internship, arts, tech, business and service goals.
- Requesting counselor recommendation late: It is required for freshman applicants.
- Only looking at overall acceptance rate: Some majors and colleges have stronger applicant pools.
- Not checking Blue Demon Domain: Missing checklist items can delay review or next steps.
Official DePaul links and sources
The key facts above are already summarized in this guide. Use these official links before final submission to verify current deadlines, testing rules, requirements, tuition, cost and program-specific steps.
Official applications, completed applicants, admitted applicants, enrolls, acceptance rate and yield trend for freshmen and transfers.
Official freshman academic profile with average GPA, SAT mean, SAT middle 50% range and class-rank profile.
Official Early Action, Regular Notification, School of Music and Theatre School freshman deadline page.
Official test-optional rules, holistic review factors, GPA/SAT/ACT profile guidance and scholarship notes.
Official application overview, admissions FAQs, resources, homeschooled applicant guidance and scholarship deadline notes.
Official freshman application guidelines, required materials and counselor-facing testing details.
Official 2026–27 tuition, program rates, part-time rates and comprehensive fee information.
Official 2026–27 estimated books, living expenses, transportation, personal expenses and COA calculation method.
FAQs about DePaul acceptance rate 2026
What is the DePaul acceptance rate for 2026?
For 2026 planning, DePaul’s official Fall 2025/26 FactFile lists an 87.8% freshman acceptance rate, based on 24,111 admits from 27,462 completed freshman applicants.
Is DePaul University hard to get into?
DePaul is accessible overall, but not automatic. The university still reviews academic record, course rigor, grade trends, recommendations, activities, community involvement, writing ability and achievements.
How many students applied to DePaul recently?
DePaul’s Fall 2025/26 FactFile lists 32,524 freshman applications, 32,164 freshman applicants, 27,462 completed applicants, 24,111 admits and 2,798 enrolls.
What GPA do you need for DePaul?
There is no guaranteed GPA cutoff for every applicant. The latest enrolled freshman average GPA is 3.77, and DePaul’s test-optional FAQ gives a recent middle-half GPA summary of 3.1–3.67 for admitted and enrolling freshmen.
What SAT score is good for DePaul?
DePaul’s latest freshman academic profile lists an SAT mean of 1173 and SAT middle 50% range of 1070–1290. Submit SAT only if it strengthens your application.
What ACT score is good for DePaul?
DePaul’s test-optional FAQ lists a recent ACT middle-half range of 23–27. A score in or above that range can help if it supports the rest of the file.
Is DePaul test optional for 2026?
Yes. DePaul lets applicants apply with or without SAT/ACT. If you choose test optional, DePaul will not consider your scores even if they are sent or appear on the transcript.
What are DePaul freshman application deadlines?
DePaul lists Early Action as November 15, Regular Notification as February 1, School of Music as December 1 and The Theatre School as February 1.
What does DePaul require for freshman applicants?
Freshman applicants generally need the Common Application, transcript and counselor recommendation. The personal essay is recommended. Music, Theatre and Animation applicants have additional requirements.
How can I improve my DePaul application?
Apply by November 15, keep grades strong, take rigorous core classes, submit SAT/ACT only if helpful, write the essay if applying test optional, secure the counselor recommendation and complete portfolio or audition steps if required.