UC vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Denison University 9:1.

UC vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC or Denison? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus than Denison ($24,696 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 17.3% lower than at Denison University ($13,564 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 379.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $53,024 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.6% higher at Denison than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $37,690 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 365.8% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($38,179 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 140 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Denison students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Denison students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 23.8% at Denison.

UC vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC and Denison? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Denison University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Denison graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 57%)

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.