Denison vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare Denison University in Granville, OH with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio Northern University is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (3,140 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Denison University is located in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Denison University 9:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Denison vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Denison or ONU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ohio Northern University than Denison ($25,941 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 11% lower than at Denison University ($14,604 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 68.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $27,200 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at Denison than at Ohio Northern University (about $27,200 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at Denison University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($38,179 vs. $27,696).

Denison vs. ONU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Denison or ONU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ONU and Denison.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 120 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming Denison students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 1320/1490; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 30/33; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Denison - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Denison (3.76).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at Denison vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Denison vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Denison and ONU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Denison University's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Denison University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Denison graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Denison graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ONU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.