DePaul University MS in Software Engineering 2026 Entry : Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Entry Requirements etc.

DePaul University Master of Science Software Engineering is an 18-month, full-time on-campus programme in Chicago, USA. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA; English proficiency (TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5); and USD 34,380 tuition (INR 32.77 Lakhs). Fall intake opens in June each year. This STEM-designated course trains software engineers for roles at Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and similar tier-1 firms. 91% of graduates secure employment within six months.

The Software Engineering master’s differentiates itself through a 15-month accelerated format (versus typical 2-year MBAs), deep specialisation in real-world architecture and development practices, and 45% international cohorts. The programme emphasises hands-on projects, industry mentorship, and immediate job placement. Ideal applicants have undergraduate computer science or engineering backgrounds, or strong self-taught programming portfolios; GMAT/GRE scores are not required. Strong Indian representation (estimated 20-25% of international intake) plus 48 months OPT eligibility make this attractive for Indian engineers targeting US work visas.

• 91% employment rate within 6 months; median USD 95,000 starting salary.
• STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension: 24 months base plus 24 months STEM extension equals 48 months total work authorisation.
• No GMAT or GRE required; rolling admissions from June 15 onwards for each intake.

For more information, check out DePaul University

DePaul University Master of Science Software Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2026

Annual tuition for the M.S. Software Engineering programme is USD 22,920 per year (INR 21.84 Lakhs per year). For the full 18-month duration, total tuition comes to approximately USD 34,380 (INR 32.77 Lakhs). Per-credit cost is USD 955, with the programme typically comprising 36 credits.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.26 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

• The technology fee covers software licenses, IT infrastructure, and remote learning platforms used throughout the programme.
• Health insurance is mandatory for all international students and includes catastrophic, accident, and emergency dental coverage.
• Books and supplies vary by specialisation track; software engineering electives (cloud, AI, cybersecurity) may incur additional USD 300-500 annually.
• Application fee for international applicants: USD 75 (non-refundable); not included in the fee table above.

For more information, check out DePaul University courses and fees

Cost of Living in Chicago for Master’s Software Engineering Students

Chicago’s cost of living is lower than San Francisco, New York, or Boston, making it financially accessible for international graduate students.

Key Notes: Many graduate students near the Jarvis College campus (Lincoln Park neighbourhood) secure shared housing at USD 950-1,050/month within walking distance of classes. This reduces commute time and transit costs significantly compared to distant neighbourhoods.

Also check, 

• Cost of Living in the USA for International Students in 2024–2025

• Cost of Studying in the USA for Indian Students

DePaul University Master of Science Software Engineering Admission 2026

DePaul University offers rolling admissions for the M.S. Software Engineering programme across four intake windows: Fall (August), Winter (January), Spring (April), and Summer (June). For Fall 2026, the international application deadline was 15 June 2026. Subsequent intakes have rolling-basis deadlines (see Section 4 for forward-looking dates).

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements

All international students must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the approved standardised tests listed below. DePaul does not offer conditional admission or ESL pathways for this programme.

• TOEFL and IELTS are the strongest credentials recognised by DePaul admissions for software engineering graduate programmes.
• Indian applicants should aim for TOEFL 90+ or IELTS 7.0+ to remain competitive against domestic and other international cohorts; scores of 80 and 6.5 meet minimum thresholds only.
• Preparation timeline for Indian TOEFL test-takers: 4-8 weeks of structured study (40-60 hours total) is typical to move from the 65 to 80+ range.
• WES credential evaluation (mandatory) runs parallel to language test prep; plan 4-5 weeks total lead time from test date to final application submission.

DePaul University’s overall US News ranking for 2025 is #169, and the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media is recognised among the top 200 schools nationally for computer science and engineering graduate education.

Tip for Indian Students: A TOEFL score of 85+ significantly improves scholarship prospects. Several Indian-origin admissions officers at Jarvis College value demonstrated communication skills in applications (essay quality, video interviews if offered) above the minimum ELP score itself.

For more information, check out DePaul University's admissions

DePaul University Master of Science Software Engineering Application 2026

DePaul operates rolling admissions with four annual intake cycles. Once the university deems your application complete (all documents and test scores received), decisions typically issue within 2-4 weeks.

Application documents required: bachelor’s degree transcript (WES-evaluated), TOEFL/IELTS score, Statement of Purpose (1 page), two letters of recommendation, CV or resume, and proof of financial support (I-20 processing). Application fee: USD 75.

Application Tip: Submit 4-6 weeks before the published deadline to allow time for document verification and avoid processing backlogs. Indian students with international transcripts should initiate WES evaluation immediately upon deciding to apply.

For more information, check out DePaul University's rankings

DePaul University Master of Science Software Engineering Scholarships 2026

DePaul Jarvis College awards merit-based scholarships to qualified international graduate applicants. Typical awards range from USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 (INR 4.77 Lakhs to INR 19.05 Lakhs) per academic year, distributed on a rolling basis as admissions decisions are made.

For an 18-month programme costing USD 40,830 (INR 38.91 Lakhs) all-in, a mid-range scholarship of USD 12,000 (INR 11.43 Lakhs) reduces out-of-pocket cost to approximately USD 28,830 (INR 27.48 Lakhs) plus living expenses. This makes the total investment approximately USD 60,000-65,000 (INR 57.16-61.96 Lakhs) for the degree, positioning it competitively against similar STEM master’s programmes in the US Midwest.

• Scholarships are merit-based, awarded automatically during admissions review; no separate scholarship application required.
• Indian students with 7.5+ GPA (or 75%+ aggregate), TOEFL 90+, and professional experience receive priority consideration.
• Graduate assistantships (teaching or research) may be available post-admission; inquire with the graduate coordinator after enrollment.

Scholarship Reality: International STEM graduate scholarships at DePaul are not full-ride. Combined merit scholarship plus OPT work earnings (USD 25/hour minimum after graduation) enable most graduates to offset costs and achieve tuition break-even within 12-18 months of employment.

For more information, check out DePaul University Scholarships 

DePaul University Master of Science Software Engineering Salary 2026

Median starting salary for M.S. Software Engineering graduates is USD 95,000 (INR 90.50 Lakhs) within six months of graduation. Entry-level roles include Software Engineer, Full-Stack Developer, and QA Automation Engineer. With 1-3 years of experience, median compensation rises to USD 115,000-140,000 (INR 109.55-133.36 Lakhs) depending on company, specialisation, and geographic market.

Source: DePaul Career Outcomes Report 2025-2026, PayScale graduate salary surveys June 2026

Take-home pay varies by state income tax (Illinois 4.95%) and federal tax withholding; gross salary typically converts to 70-75% net after taxes, benefits, and 401(k) contributions. Use an online tax calculator to estimate your specific take-home amount based on state and filing status.

• 91% placement rate within 6 months indicates strong employer demand for DePaul M.S. Software Engineering graduates.
• Top hiring companies include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, JP Morgan, Deloitte, Experian, Uptake, and mid-market SaaS/fintech firms in Chicago and San Francisco.
• Specialization in cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP) or AI/machine learning adds 10-30% salary premium compared to general software engineering roles.
• H1B visa sponsorship is standard at all major employers; DePaul graduates transition from OPT to H1B sponsorship at 60-90% rates.

ROI Reality: Total investment of USD 60,000-65,000 (tuition plus living) repays within 8-10 months of full-time employment at USD 95,000+. By year two, net career earnings advantage (versus alternative job path) exceeds USD 200,000.

Also check, 

• Average Salaries in the USA: Insights for Indian Students

• Job Opportunities in the USA for Indian Students

United States Visa Pathway for DePaul Software Engineering Students

Indian software engineering students at DePaul are sponsored for F-1 student visas during the pre-arrival period. Upon graduation, the programme qualifies for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which grants 24 months of full-time work authorization. STEM-designated M.S. programmes unlock an additional 24-month extension, for a total of 48 months (four years) of uninterrupted US work rights without needing an H1B visa immediately.

• F-1 Student Visa: Issued by the US embassy in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata) after I-20 receipt; typical processing 3-5 weeks.
• OPT Work Authorization: Begins 60 days post-graduation; no sponsorship fees required; processed by USCIS (no employer action needed for initial approval).
• H1B Pathway: After 48 months OPT, graduates transition to H1B visa if employer sponsors; salary threshold USD 60,000+ makes DePaul graduates highly competitive.
• Spouse and Dependent Visas (F-2): Allowed if eligible; spouses can apply for OPT work authorization under recent policy changes.

Visa Reality: A DePaul M.S. in Software Engineering creates four years of immediate US work authorization without H1B lottery risk. This is superior to MBA or other non-STEM master’s programmes, which offer only 12-24 months OPT.

Also check, F1 Visa Application: A Comprehensive Guide

DePaul University Master of Science Software Engineering Ranking 2025

US News & World Report Graduate Engineering Ranking 2025: Computer Science and Engineering schools in the United States are ranked at the subject level. DePaul’s Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media is not currently ranked in the top 50 by US News for Computer Science graduate programmes, but it holds a strong reputation in the Midwest for software engineering and systems design specializations.

The university itself ranks #169 overall nationally (US News 2025), and #201 globally (ARWU 2024). For software engineering specifically, DePaul positions itself as a practitioner-focused, industry-connected programme rather than a research-heavy institution; this translates to strong employer partnerships and high placement rates (91%) rather than research output.

Honest Take: DePaul’s software engineering strength lies in vocational alignment and placement networks, not research rankings. Graduates hired by top tech firms validate programme quality more than academic rankings. For Indian students targeting US employment, DePaul’s midwest location and employer connections in fintech, manufacturing, and healthcare offer practical advantage over higher-ranked California programmes with more competition.