DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM)

What DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) does

The Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) is a college within DePaul University, a private Catholic university in Chicago. CDM delivers undergraduate, graduate, and combined-degree programs across three schools — Cinematic Arts, Computing, and Design — spanning film production, animation, game design, computer science, cybersecurity, AI, data science, UX, and graphic design. The college serves prospective undergraduate students, working-professional graduate students, international students (via STEM-OPT-eligible programs), high school students through a Summer Academy pre-college program, and a 27,000+ alumni community. CDM recruits through direct-to-consumer channels (website, admissions office, student ambassadors, campus tours, graduate events) and a dedicated international recruitment motion tied to STEM designations.

CDM's technology footprint is anchored by three flagship facilities: DePaul Cinespace Studios (a nearly 60,000 sq ft professional production facility with six shooting stages and a Virtual Production LED Volume Wall at a working studio lot); the David P. Miller CyberLabs (11,000 sq ft of cybersecurity, robotics, and engineering space, including The Bunker command center with 3x3 video walls, the GLITCH hardware security lab, and a Robotics & AI Lab with UR3e arms, drones, quadrupeds, and Vicon motion capture); and the Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration (8,000 sq ft multidisciplinary space housing an XR creative studio, DePaul Originals Game Studio, and PUSH Studio). The college also operates the LA Quarter program at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Hollywood, providing a ten-week immersion with internships at Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Animation, Disney Studios, Sony, CAA, HBO, and Nickelodeon Animation Studios.

CDM's business model is tuition-driven recurring revenue. Undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees constitute the primary revenue streams, supplemented by premium program fees (LA Quarter up to $6,500, alumni LA Quarter up to $1,500) and Summer Academy fees ($900). The college pursues multiple scholarship programs (Graduate Presidential $6K-$9K, Graduate Dean's, MFA, Double Demon 25% alumni discount, DCMD) to attract and retain students. Revenue is structurally diversified across programs and not dependent on any single enterprise customer; it is instead subject to enrollment cycles, tuition pricing, and the broader U.S. higher-education market for STEM and creative disciplines. The college is not independently funded — it is supported by DePaul University institutional budget, donor gifts (including the Jarvis and Miller gifts that named and built key facilities), and tuition.

Name

DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM)

Legal name

Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, DePaul University

Website

https://cdm.depaul.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

DePaul University's Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media is a Chicago-based private college offering 45+ degree programs across Cinematic Arts, Computing, and Design, serving undergraduate, graduate, and pre-college students through facilities including Cinespace Studios, CyberLabs, and a Hollywood LA Quarter immersion program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Higher Education SIS & Campus Management Systems (EDAFAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Core Digital Curriculum & Courseware (Full Programs & Units) (EDAFACAA), Digital Labs, Simulations & Virtual Practicals (Non-XR) (EDAFACAF), Higher Education Lecture Capture & Course Media (EDAGALAB)

Keywords

• Computing degree programs
• Cinematic arts education
• Cybersecurity graduate programs
• Game design degrees
• Higher education technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: CDM generates primary revenue through tuition and fees charged to undergraduate students enrolled in BS, BA, BFA, and combined degree programs. Tuition rates are program-specific and quoted based on residency status.
2. Graduate Tuition and Fees: Graduate programs (MA, MFA, MS, PhD) are a major revenue stream, offered both on-campus (evening classes) and fully online. Several programs qualify for the Double Demon Scholarship (25% discount for DePaul alumni).
3. LA Quarter Program Fee: Students pay a program fee (up to $6,500) covering housing, studio tours, and networking events, plus tuition. Alumni LA Quarter program has a fee up to $1,500. This is a premium program revenue stream.
4. Summer Academy Fees: High school Summer Academy program charges $900 total (deposit $150, remaining $750), providing revenue from pre-college program enrollment.
5. Graduate Presidential Scholarship Program: CDM offers Graduate Presidential Scholarships ($6,000-$9,000 over six terms) and Graduate Dean's Scholarships to attract and retain graduate students, funded through institutional budget allocations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) at DePaul University delivers undergraduate, graduate, and combined degree programs across three schools—School of Cinematic Arts, School of Computing, and School of Design—spanning film, animation, computer science, cybersecurity, AI, data science, game design, UX, and graphic design. Programs are delivered on-campus (Chicago Loop and Lincoln Park), fully online, and through immersive study-away experiences such as the LA Quarter in Hollywood and international study-abroad options. Students access professional-grade facilities including DePaul Cinespace Studios, CyberLabs, and the Jarvis Innovation Center for hands-on, project-based learning.

Product overview

DePaul University's Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) is organized into three schools—School of Cinematic Arts, School of Computing, and School of Design—offering comprehensive educational programs across film, animation, computing, and design disciplines. CDM provides 45+ degree programs including undergraduate and graduate degrees, combined bachelor+master pathways, and STEM-designated programs. The college operates extensive facilities including DePaul Cinespace Studios (60,000 sq ft professional film production), David P. Miller CyberLabs (11,000 sq ft cybersecurity/robotics), and Jarvis Student Center for Innovation (8,000 sq ft multidisciplinary space). The DePaul Games initiative unifies game development across all three schools. Additional offerings include LA Quarter Hollywood immersion program, Summer Academy for high school students, study abroad opportunities, and the Visiting Artist Series bringing industry professionals to campus. CDM emphasizes project-based learning, industry partnerships, and hands-on experience with professional-grade equipment and emerging technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• School of Cinematic Arts (SCA): Film, television, animation, and screenwriting programs within CDM
• School of Computing
• School of Design
• DePaul LA
• DePaul Games
• David P. Miller CyberLabs
• Jarvis Innovation Center
• DePaul Cinespace Studios

Products and services

• School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) One of three schools within CDM offering comprehensive film, animation, and cinematic arts education. Ranks #9 film school in the U.S. (Hollywood Reporter 2025) and #12 animation school (Animation Career Review 2026).
• School of Computing One of three CDM schools offering computing programs. Ranks #7 in-person MS for Computer Science in the U.S. (Fortune 2025). Programs include AI, cybersecurity, data science, game programming, and software engineering.
• School of Design One of three CDM schools focused on design disciplines. Offers game design, graphic design, industrial design, and UX design. Ranks #8 in U.S. for User Experience Design.
• Animation Programs Comprehensive animation education ranked #12 in the U.S. (Animation Career Review 2026). Offers BA, BFA, MA, MFA degrees with concentrations in 3D animation, motion graphics, storyboarding, game art, and visual effects.
• Film and Television Production Programs Production-focused programs offering MFA, MS, BFA, BA degrees. Concentrations include cinematography, directing, editing, production, production design, sound, virtual production, and visual effects.
• MS in Artificial Intelligence Graduate program providing advanced technical skills in AI and machine learning to build and support AI-empowered systems. STEM-designated program.
• Cybersecurity Programs BS and MS in Cybersecurity covering information security, infrastructure design, computer forensics, risk assessment. MS includes AI Engineering concentration. Students train in CyberLabs command center.
• Data Science Programs BS and MS in Data Science teaching management and analysis of complex data, model development, and analytical communication. MS concentrations include Computational Methods, Health Care, and Marketing.
• Game Design Programs BS and MFA in Game Design housed in School of Design. Trains students as storytellers, critical thinkers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in game development for entertainment and socially impactful games.
• Game Programming Programs BS and MS in Game Programming from School of Computing focused on game development programming at the highest level including real-time computing, game engine architecture, and graphics programming.
• Health Informatics Programs MS in Health Informatics preparing students to work where AI and digital technologies improve human health. Combines technical skills with healthcare applications.
• DePaul Cinespace Studios Nearly 60,000-square-foot professional production facility in Chicago with six shooting stages, Virtual Production Stage/LED Volume Wall, green screen cyclorama, professional equipment, and proximity to active film productions.
• David P. Miller CyberLabs 11,000-square-foot facility on third floor of CDM building for cybersecurity, robotics, and intelligent systems. Includes The Bunker command center, GLITCH hardware security lab, Robotics & AI Lab, and engineering spaces.
• Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration Nearly 8,000 square-foot multidisciplinary space funded by Eugene P. Jarvis. Houses XR creative studio, media lounge, DePaul Originals Game Studio, and PUSH Studio for human-centered design.
• LA Quarter Program Ten-week immersion program in Los Angeles at Sunset Las Palmas Studios. Students take classes on studio lot, intern at high-profile entertainment companies, and build professional networks. Open to undergrad and grad students.
• MFA in Creative Producing (Los Angeles) Two-year MFA program based at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Hollywood. Trains students in creative producing from pre-production to distribution for careers as studio executives and showrunners.
• Summer Academy Annual intensive summer program for high school students held at DePaul's Loop Campus. Six tracks: Film/TV Production, Game Development, Hand-Drawn Animation, 3D Modeling/Animation, Screenwriting, and Sound Design. Total cost $900.
• Study Abroad Programs Multiple study abroad opportunities including Atlantis (Lyon/Linkoping), Berlin in Cinema, Croatia Film Workshop, Scandinavia Design, India Documentary, Japan Games/Animation, Iceland Film, and New Zealand Film programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• #9 Film School in the U.S. — The Hollywood Reporter (2025)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability13 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cinespace Studios ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013DePaul formed an alliance with Cinespace Studios Chicago in 2013, creating the DePaul Cinespace Studios — a nearly 60,000-square-foot professional production facility at Cinespace's Chicago studio lot. This partnership distinguishes DePaul from all other film programs in the United States, giving School of Cinematic Arts students access to six professional shooting stages, a Virtual Production Stage/LED Volume Wall, and proximity to active network productions including The Bear, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med. The facility features over 25,000 square feet of shooting space, a green screen cyclorama, scenic shop, editing suites, and industry-standard equipment. CDM provides shuttle service between this facility and both Loop and Lincoln Park campuses.
• PUSH Studio / 11.2 VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPUSH Studio is an interdisciplinary student studio within the Jarvis Innovation Center, led by faculty LeAnne Wagner. It uses human-centered design methods to solve real-world problems, partnering with industry professionals to drive new solutions using AI, VR, AR, and voice user interfaces. Their first client is 11.2 Ventures, representing a direct industry partnership for student project work.
• DePaul Originals Game Studio (internal studio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDePaul Originals Game Studio, directed by faculty Allen Turner and Will Meyers, is housed in the Jarvis Innovation Center. It simulates a professional video game studio, with students from all three CDM schools collaborating on game development across academic quarters until games are polished enough for public release. This is an internal cross-school partnership representing the core collaborative model of CDM.
• Project Bluelight / Professional Production PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Bluelight is a professional motion picture production company embedded within the School of Cinematic Arts, providing students hands-on experience on professionally produced films. It gives students the opportunity to work on real productions alongside industry professionals, gaining crew credits and portfolio-building experience.
• Cinespace Studios Chicago (Production Facility)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DePaul Cinespace Studios facility is located at Cinespace Studios Chicago, a working studio lot home to major productions including Fox's Empire, FX's Fargo, Hulu's The Bear, NBC's Chicago Fire/Med/PD, and Showtime's Shameless and The Chi. Students have proximity to these active productions, creating natural networking and mentorship opportunities.
• LA Quarter Industry PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLA Quarter students intern at high-profile entertainment companies including Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Studios, Disney Studios, William Morris Endeavor, Panavision, HBO, CAA, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Jim Henson Company, Anonymous Content, Funny or Die, and the Producers Guild of America. These internships are structured as the centerpiece of the LA Quarter program, providing direct industry access.
• Rosalind Franklin UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDePaul partnered with Rosalind Franklin University in 2025 to drive AI-driven biomedical research. Grant recipients from both institutions are collaborating on projects at the intersection of AI and healthcare.
• Atlantis Dual-Degree Program Partners (BBA INSEEC, Linköping University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Atlantis program is a full academic year study abroad partnership leading to a bachelor's degree in Business from Linköping University in Sweden. CDM juniors take business courses at BBA INSEEC in Lyon, France, followed by spring semester at Linköping University in Sweden, before returning to complete their DePaul CDM major for a second bachelor's degree.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• USC School of Cinematic Arts: USC's film school is the dominant U.S. film program and the most direct peer for CDM's School of Cinematic Arts — both compete for Hollywood-bound students with industry-immersive curriculum, alumni networks, and premium production facilities.
• Ringling College of Art and Design: Ringling is a direct peer for CDM's animation, game art, and visual effects programs, with similar emphasis on hands-on production experience and industry-recognized graduate placement.
• DigiPen Institute of Technology: DigiPen is a direct peer for CDM's BS and MFA in Game Design and MS in Game Programming, with comparable cross-disciplinary model combining computing, art, and design for game development.
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD is a direct peer for CDM's animation, film, and design programs, with comparable project-based curriculum, industry-driven faculty, and emphasis on portfolio development.
• Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science: CMU's SCS is a top-tier computing peer for CDM's School of Computing, particularly competing in AI, cybersecurity, and computer science MS programs, and is a comparable NSA CAE-designated institution.
• NYU Tisch School of the Arts: NYU Tisch is a top-tier direct competitor for both cinematic arts and game design/interactive media students in the U.S., with comparable emphasis on industry placement and East Coast alumni networks.
• Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center: CMU ETC is a direct peer for CDM's cross-disciplinary game and interactive media programs, blending computing, design, and storytelling — exactly the convergence CDM's three-school model targets.
• UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television: UCLA TFT directly competes for film, animation, and game design students in California, with strong industry placement and graduate programs that overlap with CDM's MFA offerings.

Regional players

• Columbia College Chicago: Columbia College Chicago is a regional peer in the same Chicago market with overlapping programs in film, animation, game design, and audio — competing for the same applicant pool of creative Chicago-based students.

Broad incumbents

• Stanford University School of Engineering / HCI Program: Stanford is a broader incumbent peer for CDM's AI, HCI, and cybersecurity programs, with significantly greater resources and brand that compete for top-tier graduate applicants globally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2pPc9Gzl1ryFr7nVxyNmCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CDMDePaul
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/cdmdepaul
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdmdepaul
• Xx.com/CDMDePaul

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM)