Why Depaul University?

Class profile

US News rank

#131

Median GPA

3.61

25th–75th: 3.17–3.80

Median LSAT

156

25th–75th: 152–158

Acceptance rate

41.8%

Class size (FT 1L)

177

Transfers admitted (2025)

0

ABA 2025 reporting cycle

Top employment markets

1. 1Illinois
2. 2Texas
3. 3Florida

Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.

Signature clinics

Clinical programs that define Depaul University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Depaul University" essay where they align with your interests.

• Asylum & Immigration Law Clinic
  Students represent individuals in asylum and other immigration cases before the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Immigration Courts.
• Business Law Clinic
  Students gain experience in business law by providing legal services to actual clients.
• Civil Litigation & Health Law Clinic
  Students work on civil litigation matters with a focus on health law issues.
• Croak Community Legal Clinic
  Students provide limited-scope representation to people in need under supervision.
• Family Law Field Clinic
  Students advocate for children and families in legal clinics and hands-on practice.
• Technology/Intellectual Property Clinic
  Students protect innovation and creativity through practical experience in intellectual property law.

Notable journals

Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.

• DePaul Law Review— A scholarly journal publishing articles on important topics in the law, four times a year.
• DePaul Business and Commercial Law Journal— Includes notes and comments on current issues in business and commercial law.
• DePaul Journal of Art, Technology & Intellectual Property Law— Reviews developing legal and policy issues in art, technology, and intellectual property law.
• DePaul Journal of Health Care Law— Provides scholarly comment on cases and developments in the health law field.
• DePaul Journal for Social Justice— Promotes discussion of social justice and international human rights law policy issues.
• DePaul Journal of Women, Gender and the Law— Explores issues related to women, gender, and the law.

Faculty highlights

Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.

What makes Depaul University distinctive

Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.

• ·Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, providing extensive access to state and federal courts, law firms, corporations, and government agencies.
• ·Strong emphasis on experiential learning through numerous clinics, externships, and trial advocacy programs.
• ·Offers a variety of joint degree programs, including JD/MBA, JD/MS in Computer Science, and JD/MA in International Studies.
• ·Features several centers and institutes, such as the Center for Intellectual Property and Information Technology, Mary and Michael Jaharis Health Law Institute, and International Human Rights Law Institute.
• ·A three-semester Legal Analysis, Research and Communication program in the first year to build foundational legal writing and reasoning skills.
• ·Offers a 3+3 BA/JD program allowing students to earn both degrees in six years.

Frequently asked about Depaul University

Schools similar to Depaul University

Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.