DU vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver in Denver, CO with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Denver is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

DU vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU or ONU? 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 Northern University than DU ($25,941 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 17.8% lower than at University of Denver ($14,604 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 54.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $21,598 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at DU than at Ohio Northern University (about $21,598 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Ohio Northern University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 22.6% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($33,955 vs. $27,696).

DU vs. ONU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU or ONU? 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 ONU and DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 40 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming DU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at DU (3.72).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than ONU (74.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 19.9% at ONU.

DU vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU and ONU? 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than DU graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $63,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

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.