Academic Programs & Learning

DePaul University

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

17:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

87%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

29%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 17:1 means there are approximately 17 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 72% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
863
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
13%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (14%) Non-Tenure (9%) Other

Academic Ranks

Instructors & Lecturers204
Other Instructional Staff659

Understanding Faculty Composition

DePaul University employs 863 instructional staff members. About 14% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (14,374 enrolled)
1,026
exclusively online (7.1%)
Same state 923 (90%)
Other US states 97 (9.5%)
Outside US 5 (0.5%)
Graduate (6,974 enrolled)
1,940
exclusively online (27.8%)
Same state 1,438 (74.1%)
Other US states 472 (24.3%)
Outside US 29 (1.5%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

90% of DePaul University's exclusively online undergraduates are located in IL. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

18,478
Total FTE
14,026
Undergraduate FTE
4,452
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
14,026 (75.9%)
Graduate FTE
4,452 (24.1%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:86.6% FTE ratio indicates a mix of full-time and part-time students

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

86.6%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelHigh

Most students maintain full-time or near-full-time course loads, balancing academics with limited outside commitments.

Undergraduate FTE
14,026
Graduate FTE
4,452
Total FTE
18,478
Headcount
21,348

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact DePaul University directly at 3123628000 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1 supports personalized learning
  • 863 instructional staff with 14% holding tenured positions
  • Primarily full-time enrollment creates immersive learning environment
  • Online students from IL and beyond (9% out-of-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at DePaul University?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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