University of Dayton vs. Ohio State

Deciding between University of Dayton and Ohio State University Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Dayton
Ohio State University Main Campus

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Ohio State Columbus, OH
  • Setting
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Ohio State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Ohio State 61,443
  • Type
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • Ohio State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Ohio State #135
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Ohio State -
  • Status
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Ohio State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Dayton
  • Ohio State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Ohio State $13,244
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Ohio State $40,022
  • Room & Board
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Ohio State $14,738
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Ohio State $19,783
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • Ohio State $13,151
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Ohio State 70%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Ohio State 72,829
  • Admitted
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Ohio State 44,116
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Ohio State 60.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Ohio State 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Ohio State 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Ohio State 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Ohio State 3.76
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Ohio State A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Ohio State Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Ohio State Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • Ohio State 28/32
  • SAT Range
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Ohio State 1310/1480
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Ohio State Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Ohio State Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Ohio State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Ohio State
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Work and Family Studies (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Ohio State 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Ohio State $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Ohio State 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Ohio State $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Ohio State $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • Ohio State 48%
  • % Women
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Ohio State 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Ohio State Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Dayton No
  • Ohio State No
  • % White
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • Ohio State 71%
  • % Asian
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Ohio State 6%
  • % Black
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Ohio State 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Ohio State 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Ohio State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Ohio State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • Ohio State 3%
  • % International
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • Ohio State 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Ohio State 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • Ohio State 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Ohio State 28%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Ohio State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Ohio State No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Ohio State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Dayton No
  • Ohio State No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Ohio State Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Dayton in Dayton, OH with Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting); Ohio State University Main Campus is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
  • University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dayton 14:1; Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1.

University of Dayton vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton or Ohio State? 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 State University Main Campus than University of Dayton ($19,783 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio State University Main Campus are 12.3% lower than at University of Dayton ($14,738 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 271% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $35,896 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $13,244.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.8% higher at University of Dayton than at Ohio State University Main Campus (about $9,118 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $40,022.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Ohio State University Main Campus (95% vs. 70%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 154.1% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($33,418 vs. $13,151).

University of Dayton vs. Ohio State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Dayton or Ohio State? 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 Ohio State and University of Dayton.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 110 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Ohio State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 1200/1380; Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 25/31; Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dayton - Test optional; Ohio State - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027; Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Ohio State (3.76).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Ohio State (60.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at University of Dayton vs. 21.8% at Ohio State.

University of Dayton vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Dayton and Ohio State? 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).

  • Ohio State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Ohio State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Main Campus graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 63%)

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.