University Enrollment
Undergraduate Enrollment
Freshman Enrollment
Freshman Enrollment Trends
Retention and Graduation Rates
Transfer Enrollment
Transfer Enrollment Trends
Graduate and Professional Enrollment
New Master's Enrollment Trends
Diversity
Campuses
National Comparisons
DePaul remains, for the 12th consecutive year, the nation's largest Catholic university, with a total student enrollment of 25,072. From 2008 to 2009, DePaul's enrollment grew by 3%, while enrollment at the other nine largest Catholic universities grew by 2% on average.
Undergraduate and graduate enrollments grew this fall. DePaul has the largest bachelor's-level enrollment of any private institution in the state, with 5% of total bachelor's-level enrollment. DePaul also has the largest master's-level enrollment of any Illinois institution, with 7% of all master's enrollment in 2008 (the most recent year for which comparative data were available).
Students registered for a total of 298,385 credit hours in fall 2009, up 47% since 1999. Seventy-seven percent of these credit hours are generated by undergraduate courses and 23% by graduate and law courses.
DePaul's fall 2009 total enrollment by college is as follows:
From 1999 to 2009, undergraduate enrollment has grown 38% and continues to grow as a share of total enrollment, increasing from 60% in 1999 to 65% in 2009. Graduate enrollment has grown by 18% and accounts for 31% of university enrollment, compared with 34% in 1999. College of Law enrollment has declined 8% since 1999 and accounts for 4% of total enrollment, compared with 6% in 1999.
DePaul's total enrollment of 25,072 represents a diverse student body in terms of ethnicity, geography and other demographics.
A total of 54% are women. Twenty-nine percent are students of color.
These students come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
Fall 2009 marks the 13th consecutive year of undergraduate enrollment growth. The record number of 16,199 undergraduates enrolled for this fall term is an increase of 10% since 2005. Over the 25-year span from 1984 to 2009, undergraduate enrollment declined only once, in 1996, and by only 12 students.
This year, 82% of undergraduates (13,213) are enrolled full time, compared with 77% in 2005 and 66% in 1999. This is the highest proportion of full-time undergraduate enrollment in DePaul's history. Full-time enrollment has increased 16% since 2005, while part-time enrollment has declined by 11%. All colleges have more than 85% full-time undergraduate enrollment, with the exception of SNL's undergraduate enrollment, which is mostly part time (89%).
A total of 3,841 undergraduates (or 24%) are 24 years of age or older, up 3% from 2008, and compared with 39% in 1999. The profile of these adult undergraduates has changed over the past 10 years. Compared with 1999, a higher percentage of DePaul's adult undergraduates in fall 2009 are men (46% compared with 39%), enrolled full time (34% compared with 25%) and enrolled as degree-seeking students (94% compared with 84%).
In 2009, half of all adult undergraduates (52%) are in SNL, compared with 42% in 1999.
DePaul welcomed 2,531 freshmen in fall 2009, compared with 2,555 in fall 2008. This is an increase of 131 freshmen since 2005 (5%) and is 45% larger than the freshman class of 1,750 in 1999.
By Academic Profile
On measures of academic preparedness, the fall 2009 freshman class is stronger than the class of 2005. The average high school GPA is 3.5 compared with 3.4 in 2005. The percentage of freshmen who graduated in the top 10% of their high school classes has increased from 18% in 2005 to 22% this year.
The average ACT composite score is 24.5, with the middle 50% of the class scoring between 22 and 27. In 2005, the average ACT was 24.1. Nationally, the average ACT composite is 21.1 in 2009, and only one in five test-takers nationally scored above DePaul's median of 24.
By Gender and Ethnicity
The fall 2009 freshman class is 41% male, just as in 2008. This year, the freshman class is 36% minority, including 80 freshmen from multiracial/non-Hispanic backgrounds. The proportion who did not report ethnicity declined this year to only 7% of the class. Based only on those who reported ethnicity in 2009, the freshman class is 39% minority, compared with 31% in 2008. This fall, DePaul enrolled:
By Geography
The geographic distribution of this year's freshman class is similar to that of 2005, with almost half of all freshmen from the suburbs (46%), another 30% from out of state and 20% from the city of Chicago. In addition, 70% of new full-time freshmen live in the residence halls, similar to 2005. Compared with last year, however, the number of freshmen from the suburbs and out of state declined 2% and 10%, respectively, with a 23% increase in the number of freshmen from the city of Chicago.
In fall 2009, DePaul's top feeder states for freshmen include Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and California. Of freshmen hailing from Illinois, the top feeder high schools are Lane Tech College Prep High School (Chicago), Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Chicago), Niles West High School (Skokie) and Lincoln Park High School (Chicago).
First-generation Freshmen
Enrolling this fall are 880 first-generation freshmen (35%) from families where neither parent has a college degree, up from 30% in 2008. Almost half of this year's first-generation students come from the suburbs (47%), and another 34% come from the city of Chicago.
These freshmen enrolled in all colleges, with SOE having the largest proportion of first-generation freshmen (42%), followed by Commerce (38%). Fifty-five percent of full-time first-generation freshmen live in residence halls, compared with 70% of all full-time freshmen.
Sixty-three percent of this year's first-generation freshmen are women. Of all first-generation freshmen, 30% are Hispanic/Latino and 10% are African-American.
While 35% of all freshmen are first generation, 64% of all Hispanic/Latino freshmen and 47% of all African-American freshmen are first-generation college students.
DePaul received 11,596 applications for fall 2009, compared with 12,942 in 2008. Since 1999, freshman applications have increased by 92%, and this, coupled with lower admit rates and strong yield rates, has resulted in a 45% increase in the freshman class over the past 10 years.
Applications were up from freshmen applying to CDM and Communication (10% and 7%, respectively), and from Hispanic/Latino students (12%). Applications from students with ACT scores of 28 or above represented 22% of the application pool, compared with 20% in 2008.
While applications were down in all regions, the compositional shift continues to demonstrate a growing national demand. Applications from out-of-state inquiries accounted for 41% of the pool, up from 39% in 2008. Suburban applications accounted for 35% of the pool, compared with 36% in 2008, and the city of Chicago residents held as a share of total applications at 17%.
Returning in fall 2009 for their sophomore year are 85.2% of the fall 2008 full-time freshmen, up from 84.9% of the prior year's freshman class. In general, freshman retention rates have been consistent over the recent period of dramatic growth in freshman enrollment, and the retention rates have trended upward over the past three years.
A total of 83.9% of the fall 2003 full-time freshmen returned for their sophomore year. Six years later, 63.3% of these full-time freshmen had graduated from DePaul. The average six-year graduation rate for freshmen entering DePaul from 1994 to 1998 was 60.7%. From 1999 to 2003, the average six-year graduation rate was 63.4%.
At the close of the 2008-09 academic year, DePaul had awarded a total of 6,171 degrees: 3,133 bachelor's degrees, 2,663 master's degrees, 16 certificates, 30 doctoral degrees, 320 juris doctor (J.D.) degrees and nine master of laws (LL.M.) degrees.
Of the 3,133 bachelor's degree recipients, 54% originally enrolled at DePaul as freshmen, 42% enrolled as transfers and 3% enrolled as non-degree students.
In addition, 29% of these bachelor's degrees were awarded to students of color.
An all-time record of 1,655 new undergraduate transfer students enrolled in fall 2009, up 8% from 1,534 last year.
Until 1997, the number of new transfers generally equaled the number of new freshmen enrolled each fall, but the strategic emphasis in Vision 2006 on freshman enrollment growth shifted this ratio. By 2006, 33% of new degree-seeking undergraduates were transfers, compared with 48% in 1997.
In 2007, the VISION twenty12 strategic plan focused additional emphasis on transfer enrollment. This fall, transfers account for 40% of new degree-seeking undergraduates.
By Gender and Ethnicity
Half of all new transfers are women (52%) in 2009, compared with 53% in 2005.
In 2009, 38% of all new transfers are students of color, including 37 students (2%) who indicated a multiracial/non-Hispanic background. Based on the 91% of transfers who reported ethnicity in 2009, the transfer class is 43% minority, compared with 39% of new freshmen. This fall, DePaul enrolled:
By Geography
DePaul remains a top destination for transfer students in Illinois. More than half (55%) of the new transfer students are from suburban Chicago, with another 33% from the city of Chicago; 9% were from out of state.
Illinois community colleges are the leading - and growing- source of these new transfer students, accounting for 57% in fall 2009, compared to 43% in fall 2005. A smaller percentage of new transfer students came from Illinois' public universities (6%) and private institutions (9%). In addition, 14% transferred in from out-of-state institutions and 6% transferred with credit for equivalent experience.
Of the 935 transfer students from Illinois community colleges, 68% were from suburban Chicago, 40% were students of color, and 68% were under 24 years of age. The three top community colleges sending students to DePaul in 2009 include College of DuPage, Oakton Community College and William Rainey Harper College.
By Age
From 2007 to 2009, the proportion of transfers under 24 years of age dropped from 72% to 66%. Of these transfers who are under 24 years of age, almost half are enrolled in LA&S (47%) and 28% in Commerce. The majority of these transfers are full time (97%), and nearly half enrolled as sophomores (48%) with another 20% enrolling as freshmen. These transfers are predominantly from the suburbs (61%), one-third are first generation (36%) and 35% are students of color.
Compared with transfers under 24 years of age, the profile of the 555 transfers who are 24 years of age or older is somewhat different. Half of these students are in SNL, 27% in LA&S and 14% in Commerce. Only half of these adult transfers are full time (47%). While half entered DePaul as sophomores (55%), few entered as freshmen (7%) and 16% entered as seniors. Only 16% of these adult transfers are first generation, and 45% are students of color. Twenty-one percent of adult transfers are African-American compared with 7% of transfers, 59% are adult students 24 years of age or older.
During the past 10 years, demand for admission to DePaul from the transfer and returning adult market has grown as the result of the university's successful recruitment, innovations in transfer admission and advising, and strong market position and prominence.
From 2002 to 2006, transfer applications held steady at around 3,500, while new enrollments went from 1,387 to 1,241, a decline of 11%. This decrease was due to a declining admit rate and lower yield rate.
From fall 2006 to 2009, applications and new transfer enrollment each have increased by 33%. Transfer applications and new enrollment to colleges other than SNL increased 35%; SNL transfer applications increased 18% and enrollment increased 26%.
A total of 7,795 graduate students enrolled in fall 2009, up 4% from 2008 and 8% from 7,229 in 2005.
A total of 1,879 new graduate student enrolled this fall, up 123 students, or 7%, compared with 1,756 last year. The majority of this increase is in SOE, up 68 students, or 20%.
In 2009, 58% of all graduate students are enrolled full time, up from 50% in 2005. Full-time graduate enrollment varies by college. The colleges whose graduate enrollment is primarily full time include Theatre (100%), Communication (76%), SOE (68%) and Commerce (61%). The largest proportion of part-time graduate enrollment is in SNL (90%).
Professional Enrollment
The College of Law welcomed 405 new juris doctor students with a total enrollment of 1,078, up 3% from 2008.
In 2009, 78% of all Law students are enrolled full time, compared to 80% in 2005.
Doctoral Enrollment
In 2009, DePaul enrolled 248 doctoral students, up from 238 in 2008. Almost half are enrolled in LA&S (45%), with another 36% in SOE and 19% in CDM. Doctoral enrollment accounts for 3% of all graduate enrollment.
New Master's Enrollment Trends
New Masters Enrollment
The majority (95%) of new graduate enrollment is made up of students pursuing master's degrees. This fall, a total of 1,787 new master's students enrolled, up 22% from 2005 and up 10% from fall 2008. LA&S and SOE had double-digit enrollment increases this year, with SOE up 24% to 379 new master's students and LA&S up 14% to 514 students. LA&S accounts for 29% of new master's, followed by the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business (KGSB) with 21% and CDM with 16%.
By Gender and Ethnicity
More than half of new master's students are women (57%). In total, master's enrollment of Asian, African-American and Hispanic/Latino students increased by 35%, 26% and 17%, respectively, and Caucasian enrollment increased by 33%. Of those new master's students who reported ethnicity in 2009, 63% are Caucasian, compared with 61% in 2008; 28% are students of color, compared with 27% in 2008.
By Geography
Compared with 2008, a higher proportion of new master's students in 2009 are from the city if Chicago (58% compared with 48%) and fewer are from out of state (10% compared with 14%). About one-third of new master's students in 2009 are from the suburbs and other areas in Illinois, consistent with last year.
International Students declined by 16% and account for 7% of all new master's students.
By Age
The majority of new master's students are between 24 and 29 years of age (51%). While the number of students under 24 years of age increased by the largest percentage compared with 2008 (11%), this group continues to account for just 25% of all new master's students.
In 2009, DePaul enrolled 7,211 students of color, up 10% from 6,572 students in 2008. This includes 341 students with multiracial/non-Hispanic background, double in number reported in 2008.
Minority enrollment accounts for 29% of the total enrollment, 32% of undergraduate enrollment, 23% of graduate and professional enrollment.
Nearly half of all credit hours in fall 2009 were generated at the Lincoln Park Campus (48%), compared with 53% of total hours in 2005. From 2005 to 2009, hours at the Lincoln Park Campus increased by 4%, while hours at the Loop Campus increased by 28%, or from 39% to 44% of total credit hours.
A total of 2,962 students registered for online courses, including 1,559 undergraduate and 1,403 graduate students. This is a 3% increase from 2,864 students in 2008. Of the students registering for online courses, 42% of undergraduates and 61% of graduates are exclusively online in the fall, not simultaneously enrolled in other campus-based courses. Of these, 28% are from outside Illinois.
Suburban campuses generated 5,108 credit hours, down 10% from 5,702 in fall 2008, and account for 2% of total credit hours. Suburban credit hours are down 35% since 2005, when suburban hours accounted for 3% of all credit hours.
DePaul is the eighth-largest private, not-for-profit university in the nation and the largest in the Midwest. DePaul is also the largest Catholic university in the nation, having exceeded St. John's University in total enrollment in 1998 and in undergraduate enrollment in 2007.
From 2000 to 2009, the 10 largest Catholic institutions grew by 19%, or about 23,040 students. DePaul grew by 22%, or 4,524 students, accounting for 20% of the growth at these institutions.
Overall, the top 10 private, nor-for-profit universities enrolled 302,011 students in 2009 and have grown by 7% since 2005 in total enrollment, while DePaul has grown by 8%. Of these institutions, the fastest growing is Northeastern University, with 16% growth to 27,020 students in 2009; and the school with the largest one-year increase in enrollment at 5%. DePaul had the third-largest one-year enrollment increase at 3%.
