DePauw University

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Town setting offering focused academic environment
• Strong focus on undergraduate education
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at DePauw University pulsates with energy, creativity, and endless opportunities for personal growth and community engagement. The residential campus experience is central to the DePauw identity, with approximately 95% of students living on campus throughout their four years, fostering deep friendships and a genuine sense of belonging. Greek life plays a significant role in campus culture, with numerous fraternities and sororities providing social connections, leadership opportunities, and philanthropic engagement, though participation remains entirely optional and independent organizations offer alternative pathways to involvement. The Lilly Physical Education and Recreation Center provides outstanding fitness facilities, while intercollegiate athletics compete in NCAA Division III, allowing student-athletes to excel both academically and competitively without sacrificing either pursuit. Music flourishes at DePauw through the nationally acclaimed School of Music, which sponsors numerous ensembles, concerts, and recitals throughout the year. Student publications, including The DePauw newspaper and the Mirage yearbook, offer journalism experience, while WGRE radio station broadcasts student programming. The campus hosts over 100 student organizations covering interests from environmental activism to cultural celebration, from community service to professional development. The Prindle Institute for Ethics sponsors thought-provoking speakers and programs that encourage students to grapple with complex moral questions. Weekend programming includes concerts, comedians, and cultural events that transform this rural campus into a vibrant intellectual and social community.

Location & Surroundings

Greencastle, Indiana, provides DePauw University students with a quintessential small-town college experience, where the university and community exist in symbiotic relationship approximately 45 miles west of Indianapolis. This rural setting offers tranquility and focus that larger metropolitan environments cannot replicate, allowing students to immerse themselves fully in their studies and campus activities without urban distractions. The surrounding Putnam County features rolling hills, scenic farmland, and natural areas perfect for hiking, running, and outdoor recreation. Big Walnut Creek winds through the area, offering opportunities for kayaking and fishing during warmer months. Downtown Greencastle, just steps from campus, features locally-owned restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques that welcome students and provide employment opportunities. The historic courthouse square hosts community events, farmers markets, and festivals that connect students with local traditions. Indianapolis, accessible via Interstate 70, provides access to major airports, professional sports, world-class museums, fine dining, and internship opportunities in business, government, and nonprofit sectors. Students frequently take advantage of Indianapolis's cultural offerings while appreciating the peaceful environment that awaits upon return to campus. The rural location fosters a tight-knit community where students form lifelong friendships and faculty members become genuine mentors. Four distinct seasons bring beauty to campus, from autumn's spectacular foliage to winter snowfalls that blanket the limestone buildings in picturesque white.

Costs & Career Outcomes

DePauw University represents a significant educational investment, with total annual costs including tuition, fees, room, and board comparable to peer liberal arts institutions nationwide. However, the university's commitment to accessibility is demonstrated through generous financial aid programs that ensure talented students from all economic backgrounds can benefit from a DePauw education. Approximately 98% of students receive some form of financial assistance, including need-based grants, merit scholarships, work-study opportunities, and federal loan programs. The university's endowment supports numerous named scholarships recognizing academic achievement, artistic talent, leadership potential, and other distinguishing qualities. Career preparation begins immediately upon enrollment, with the Kathryn F. Hubbard Center for Student Engagement providing comprehensive services including career counseling, internship placement, graduate school advising, and networking opportunities with alumni. DePauw's extensive alumni network, spanning over 35,000 graduates worldwide, provides mentorship, job shadowing experiences, and employment connections that facilitate successful transitions from college to career. Graduates consistently report strong employment and graduate school placement rates, with alumni pursuing careers in education, business, law, medicine, journalism, public service, and countless other fields. The liberal arts foundation proves remarkably versatile, preparing graduates for initial careers while developing transferable skills that support career evolution over decades. DePauw alumni report high levels of satisfaction with their undergraduate preparation, citing critical thinking abilities, communication skills, and ethical reasoning as particularly valuable professional attributes.

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