Wheaton College vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between Wheaton College and University of Dayton? 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.

Wheaton College
University of Dayton

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wheaton College Wheaton, IL
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Wheaton College Large Suburban
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wheaton College 2,874
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Wheaton College Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wheaton College #146
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wheaton College Undenominational
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Wheaton College Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wheaton College
  • University of Dayton
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Wheaton College $13,010
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Wheaton College $31,356
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wheaton College $27,987
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wheaton College 98%
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wheaton College 2,040
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Wheaton College 1,783
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wheaton College 87.4%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Wheaton College 29.9%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wheaton College 1370
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wheaton College 30
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wheaton College 3.75
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wheaton College A-
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wheaton College Very High
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wheaton College
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Wheaton College 28/32
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Wheaton College 1260/1470
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wheaton College Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wheaton College 10:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wheaton College
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Business (8%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wheaton College 87%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wheaton College $54,300
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wheaton College 90%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wheaton College $22,500
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wheaton College $232
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wheaton College 46%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Wheaton College 54%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wheaton College Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Wheaton College No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Wheaton College 76%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Wheaton College 9%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Wheaton College 3%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wheaton College 6%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Wheaton College 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wheaton College 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wheaton College 5%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Wheaton College 3%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wheaton College 0%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wheaton College 25%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wheaton College 68%
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with University of Dayton in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Dayton is larger than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (10,506 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Wheaton College vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College or University of Dayton? 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 Wheaton College than University of Dayton ($31,356 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 22.6% lower than at University of Dayton ($13,010 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $3,594 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $45,546.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at University of Dayton than at Wheaton College (about $3,594 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $45,546.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at University of Dayton (98% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 19.4% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($33,418 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 80 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Wheaton College 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: Wheaton College 1260/1470; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
  • Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than University of Dayton (65.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Wheaton College vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($232 vs. $268).
  • More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Dayton students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.