University of Dayton vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dayton is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (10,506 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dayton 14:1; Denison University 9:1.

University of Dayton vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton 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 Dayton than Denison ($32,794 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 2.4% lower than at University of Dayton ($16,400 vs. $16,800).
• Denison University is 36.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Dayton (about $17,860 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $49,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.3% higher at Denison than at University of Dayton (about $17,860 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $49,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Denison University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 14.2% larger than aid received by University of Dayton students ($38,179 vs. $33,418).

University of Dayton vs. Denison Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Dayton 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 University of Dayton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 120 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
• Incoming Denison students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 1200/1380; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 25/31; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dayton - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Denison (3.76).
• University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at University of Dayton vs. 23.8% at Denison.

University of Dayton vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Dayton 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 Dayton's (74%).
• Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Denison University and University of Dayton graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Denison University and University of Dayton graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.