U of R vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

U of R vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 Rochester than Denison ($40,462 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 17.1% lower than at University of Rochester ($16,400 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $80 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at U of R than at Denison University (about $80 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at University of Rochester (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($45,500 vs. $38,179).

U of R vs. Denison Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 70 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming U of R students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Denison students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 23.8% at Denison.

U of R vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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).

• University of Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More Denison graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.