DePaul University

DePaul University is a private Catholic research university located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians, DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the United States by enrollment. The university operates primarily across two main campuses in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and the downtown Loop district. DePaul offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through colleges such as the Driehaus College of Business, the College of Computing and Digital Media, and the College of Law. Its urban setting and emphasis on access to education attract a diverse student body, including many first-generation college students.

DePaul University was founded in 1898 in Chicago, Illinois, by the Congregation of the Mission, a Catholic religious order inspired by St. Vincent de Paul. Originally established as St. Vincent’s College, DePaul University was created to provide Catholic higher education to the children of immigrants in the city. Peter V. Byrne served as the first president and helped guide the early development of the institution. In the early 20th century, DePaul University expanded its academic offerings, adding programs in law, commerce, and music, and opened a downtown campus to serve working students. The university became one of the first Catholic institutions in the United States to admit women in 1911. Throughout the late 20th century, DePaul University grew significantly, expanding enrollment, facilities, and academic programs. Today, DePaul University is a comprehensive private university serving students across a broad range of disciplines.