Denison vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Denison University in Granville, OH with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Denison University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Denison University is located in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Denison University 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Denison vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Denison or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College than Denison ($37,633 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 8% lower than at Denison University ($15,080 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $2,950 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Denison than at Whitman College (about $2,950 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Denison University as at Whitman College (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($40,489 vs. $38,179).

Denison vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 10 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Denison students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Whitman College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 1320/1490; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 30/33; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Denison - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Denison students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at Denison vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Denison vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Denison and Whitman College? 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($17,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($180 vs. $268).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.