University of Dayton vs. Vanderbilt

Deciding between University of Dayton and Vanderbilt University? 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
Vanderbilt University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • Type
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Vanderbilt #16
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Vanderbilt -
  • Status
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Vanderbilt Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Dayton
  • Vanderbilt

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Room & Board
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Vanderbilt 67%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • Admitted
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Vanderbilt A
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • Vanderbilt 34/35
  • SAT Range
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Vanderbilt 1500/1570
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Vanderbilt $144

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • Vanderbilt 44%
  • % Women
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Vanderbilt 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Vanderbilt High
  • HBCU
  • University of Dayton No
  • Vanderbilt No
  • % White
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • Vanderbilt 55%
  • % Asian
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Vanderbilt 12%
  • % Black
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Vanderbilt 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Vanderbilt 8%
  • % Native American
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Vanderbilt 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Vanderbilt 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • Vanderbilt 5%
  • % International
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • Vanderbilt 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Vanderbilt 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • Vanderbilt 13%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Vanderbilt 73%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dayton 14:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

University of Dayton vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than University of Dayton ($25,186 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dayton are 23.8% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($16,800 vs. $22,054).
  • Vanderbilt University is 37.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Dayton (about $18,358 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.4% higher at Vanderbilt than at University of Dayton (about $18,358 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Vanderbilt University (95% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 92.7% larger than aid received by University of Dayton students ($64,404 vs. $33,418).

University of Dayton vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 250 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 1200/1380; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 25/31; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dayton - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at University of Dayton (3.77).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at University of Dayton vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

University of Dayton vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($14,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($144 vs. $268).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt 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.