
DePaul University, a private Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois, is the largest Catholic university in the United States in terms of enrollment. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission priests and brothers, known as the Vincentians, in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul. DePaul University has two campuses located in Lincoln Park and the Loop, with around 14,500 undergraduates and about 7,900 graduate/law students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | DePaul University |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Type | Private Catholic research university |
| Year founded | 1898 |
| Founder | Congregation of the Mission priests and brothers, known as the Vincentians |
| Namesake | 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul |
| Campuses | Lincoln Park, the Loop |
| Student body | Wide array of religious, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds, including over 118 foreign countries |
| Enrollment | 20,917 students in 2022 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,500 |
| Graduate/law student enrollment | 7,900 |
| Notable faculty members | Alberto Coll, Patty Gerstenblith, Susan Bandes, Brian Havel, Roberta Kwall, Joshua Sarnoff, Jeffrey Shaman |
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What You'll Learn
- DePaul University in Chicago is the largest Catholic college in America
- It was founded by the Vincentians in 1898 and was originally named St Vincent's College
- The university enrols around 14,500 undergraduates and 7,900 graduate/law students
- The University of Dayton in Ohio is the second-largest Catholic university in the US
- The College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska is also one of the largest Catholic colleges in America

DePaul University in Chicago is the largest Catholic college in America
DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, is the largest Catholic college in America in terms of enrollment. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission priests and brothers, known as the Vincentians, in 1898, the university was originally named St. Vincent's College, after the 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul.
DePaul University has two main campuses in Lincoln Park and the Loop, with additional sites in the surrounding area. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including business, communication, education, computing and digital media, music, science and health, theatre, and liberal arts and social sciences. DePaul's College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences is located primarily in the Lincoln Park Campus. The university also operates a college of law, with the College of Law located in the Loop, and the School for New Learning, which offers continuing education programs.
DePaul University has a strong focus on academic excellence and providing a personalized education to its students. The university has a student/faculty ratio of 16 to 1, and its programs have received national recognition. DePaul's enrollment has been increasing, with a total enrollment of over 25,000 students, including around 14,500 undergraduates and about 7,900 graduate/law students. The university attracts students from a diverse range of religious, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds, with students representing over 118 foreign countries.
While DePaul University has a Catholic foundation and was established to serve the children of Catholic immigrants, the number of Catholic students at the university has been declining over the years. In 2017, 38% of incoming freshmen who reported a religious affiliation identified as Catholic, a decrease from 57% in 2007. Despite this, DePaul continues to be a place of dialogue and inclusion, welcoming students from all religious backgrounds.
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It was founded by the Vincentians in 1898 and was originally named St Vincent's College
DePaul University is a private Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois. It is the largest Catholic university in North America in terms of enrolment, with around 14,500 undergraduates and about 7,900 graduate/law students.
In 1903, James Quigley, Archbishop of Chicago, announced plans to create a preparatory seminary, threatening St Vincent College's survival. In response, the Vincentians re-chartered in 1907 as DePaul University, offering all of its courses of study to men and women of any religious background. DePaul began admitting women in 1911 and awarded degrees to its first female graduates in 1912. It was one of the first Catholic universities to admit female students in a co-educational setting.
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The university enrols around 14,500 undergraduates and 7,900 graduate/law students
DePaul University is a private Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission priests and brothers, also known as the Vincentians, the university was originally named St. Vincent's College. The name of the university comes from the 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul. DePaul University has two campuses located in Lincoln Park and the Loop.
DePaul University is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The university is one of the first Catholic universities to admit female students in a co-educational setting, beginning to admit women in 1911 and awarding degrees to its first female graduates in 1912. The university also established the School of Music and the College of Commerce, the latter becoming one of the oldest business schools in the United States.
DePaul University offers a variety of academic programs and places a special emphasis on recruiting first-generation and disadvantaged students. The university's College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences is located primarily in the Lincoln Park Campus. The DePaul University College of Law, located in the Loop, has notable faculty members including Alberto Coll, former United States Assistant Secretary of Defense, and Patty Gerstenblith, appointed by Barack Obama to serve as the chair of the President's Cultural Property Advisory Committee.
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The University of Dayton in Ohio is the second-largest Catholic university in the US
The University of Dayton in Ohio is a private Catholic research university founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary. It is one of three Marianist universities in the United States and the second-largest Catholic university in the country. The University of Dayton has a rich history and has undergone several name changes over the years, including St. Mary's School, St. Mary's Institute, and St. Mary's College. The university has a strong commitment to student success and offers a wide range of academic programs, including the arts, sciences, business, education, health sciences, engineering, and law.
The campus is located in southern Dayton and covers 388 acres on both sides of the Great Miami River. Notable campus facilities include the Immaculate Conception Chapel, the University of Dayton Arena, Raymond L. Fitz Hall, and the Anderson Information Sciences Center. The university has a diverse student population, with approximately 11,300 undergraduate and postgraduate students from various religious, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. The University of Dayton provides a holistic educational experience, focusing on both academic excellence and the development of relationships and skills to make a positive impact on the world.
The University of Dayton has a long-standing tradition of educating the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. This approach is inspired by their Catholic and Marianist values, fostering a strong sense of community among students and staff. The university also encourages hands-on learning opportunities, including internships and research, to ensure students gain valuable real-world skills and knowledge. Additionally, the University of Dayton has a strong athletic presence, with the ""Dayton Flyers"" as the nickname for its athletic teams and a wide range of varsity sports teams.
The University of Dayton has had its fair share of challenges, including hostility from the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s and various scandals involving priests accused of misconduct. However, the university has also been a pioneer in several areas, being one of the first Catholic universities to admit women on an equal basis with men, and it was the first Catholic university to divest coal and fossil fuels from its investment pool. The University of Dayton continues to grow and evolve, offering a well-rounded and faith-based education to its students.
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The College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska is also one of the largest Catholic colleges in America
The College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, is one of the largest Catholic colleges in America. It is the only Catholic university for women in the region, with an approximate enrollment of 850 students. Undergraduate students at the College of Saint Mary are exclusively female, while its graduate programs are co-ed. The college offers more than 30 undergraduate and seven graduate degree programs.
The College of Saint Mary is a private Catholic college with a unique set of programs. Notably, it offers a residence hall for single mothers and the Marie Curie Scholarships for women majoring in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or medical technology. The college also has a doctoral program for educators in the health professions. The campus is located in the Aksarben Village community of Omaha, and its athletic teams are called the Flames.
The Flames compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and have been members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) since the 2015-16 academic year. The swimming and diving team competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC). The College of Saint Mary's athletic programs offer a diverse range of sports for its students to participate in and represent their college.
While the College of Saint Mary is one of the largest Catholic colleges in America, other notable institutions also stand out for their size and reputation. DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, is the largest Catholic university in North America in terms of enrollment, with approximately 14,500 undergraduates and 7,900 graduate and law students. DePaul University was founded in 1898 and has two primary campuses, offering a wide range of academic programs.
In addition to DePaul University, other large Catholic universities in America include Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and the University of Dayton in Ohio. These universities have a significant number of students and offer a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. They contribute to the diverse landscape of Catholic higher education in the United States, providing options for students seeking a combination of academic excellence and spiritual growth.
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Frequently asked questions
DePaul University is the largest Catholic college in America in terms of enrollment. It was founded in 1898 and currently has around 14,500 undergraduates and 7,900 graduate/law students.
DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois, and has two campuses in Lincoln Park and the Loop.
DePaul University was founded by the Vincentians and was originally named St. Vincent's College to serve the children of Catholic immigrants. It was one of the first Catholic universities to admit female students in a co-educational setting.
Georgetown, founded in 1789, is the oldest and largest Jesuit Catholic university in America.










































