University of Dayton vs. Purdue

Deciding between University of Dayton and Purdue 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
Purdue University Main Campus

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Purdue West Lafayette, IN
  • Setting
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Purdue Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Purdue 58,658
  • Type
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • Purdue Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Purdue #102
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Purdue -
  • Status
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Purdue Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Dayton
  • Purdue

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Purdue $9,992
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Purdue $28,794
  • Room & Board
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Purdue $12,820
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Purdue $13,722
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • Purdue $11,294
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Purdue 40%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Purdue 78,745
  • Admitted
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Purdue 39,272
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Purdue 49.9%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Purdue 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Purdue 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Purdue 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Purdue 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Purdue A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Purdue Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Purdue Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • Purdue 27/34
  • SAT Range
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Purdue 1200/1480
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Purdue Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Purdue

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Purdue 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Purdue
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Purdue 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Purdue $61,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Purdue 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Purdue $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Purdue $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • Purdue 59%
  • % Women
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Purdue 41%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Purdue Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Dayton No
  • Purdue No
  • % White
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • Purdue 65%
  • % Asian
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Purdue 6%
  • % Black
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Purdue 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Purdue 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Purdue 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Purdue 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • Purdue 2%
  • % International
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • Purdue 17%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Purdue 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • Purdue 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Purdue 47%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Dayton in Dayton, OH with Purdue University Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Main Campus is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dayton 14:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

University of Dayton vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton or Purdue? 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 Purdue University Main Campus than University of Dayton ($13,722 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 23.7% lower than at University of Dayton ($12,820 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 391.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue (about $39,148 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $9,992.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 70.7% higher at University of Dayton than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $20,346 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $28,794.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Purdue University Main Campus (95% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 195.9% larger than aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students ($33,418 vs. $11,294).

University of Dayton vs. Purdue Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Main Campus (1340) is 50 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Purdue 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; Purdue University Main Campus 1200/1480.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 25/31; Purdue University Main Campus 27/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dayton - Test optional; Purdue - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Purdue (3.67).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Purdue (49.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at University of Dayton vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

University of Dayton vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Dayton and Purdue? 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 Dayton's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Purdue University Main Campus's (68%).
  • Graduates from Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,200 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Main Campus graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Purdue 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 Purdue students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

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.