Denison vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Denison University in Granville, OH with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Denison University is located in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Denison University 9:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Denison vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Denison or UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus than Denison ($18,427 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 9.8% lower than at Denison University ($14,800 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 207.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $45,197 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.6% higher at Denison than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $7,488 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (94% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 33% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($38,179 vs. $28,715).

Denison vs. UVA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Denison or UVA? 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 UVA and Denison.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 70 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 1320/1490; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 30/33; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Denison - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at Denison vs. 40% at UVA.

Denison vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Denison and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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.