Denison Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Granville, OH
3.7 3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Ohio

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Denison Admission Overview

Denison admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Ohio. Last year Denison admitted 17.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1320-1490 / ACT 30-33. Denison is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Denison is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Denison Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

17.4%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Denison acceptance rate is 17.4%. Last year, only 2,611 of 15,012 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Ohio and the 64th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Denison and can you get accepted?

Denison is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Denison GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.76*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.76*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Denison has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.76 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.76 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Denison is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.76 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Denison SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1320-1490

Freshmen who sent SAT

29%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 660
Math 660
Composite 1320

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 730
Math 760
Composite 1490

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Denison typically score around a 1410 SAT (middle 50% 1320–1490) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 96th percentile nationally. Denison ranks #4 in the state of Ohio and #99 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1320 to 1490

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1320–1490 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Denison is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1410 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Denison University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1490+	Above 75th	>28%
1410 to 1490	Avg +	18%-28%
1320 to 1410	Avg -	10%-18%
Below 1320	Below mid-50	<10%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Denison ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

30-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

22%

25th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 26
Composite 30

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 31
Composite 33

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Denison typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 30–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Denison places #4 among colleges in Ohio and #111 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 30–33 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Denison without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Denison University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
33+	Above 75th	>33%
31 to 33	Avg +	17%-33%
30 to 31	Avg -	12%-17%
Below 30	Below mid-50	<12%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

71% of Denison University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Denison University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	71%
Top 25% of class	88%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Denison chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Denison University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	7,518	7,494	15,012
Accepted	1,414	1,197	2,611
Acceptance Rate	19%	16%	17%
Enrolled	334	287	621
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	24%	24%	24%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Denison University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Denison University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Denison University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Denison University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Denison is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 17.4% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1320-1490); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025