Denison University is a private nonprofit institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,380 students and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university has a 17.4% acceptance rate and a 6-year graduation rate of 79.5%. The cost of attendance is $86,900, with a median earnings figure of $67,753 for graduates 10 years after enrollment.
Denison University is a selective private institution with a 17.4% acceptance rate and an undergraduate enrollment of 2,380 students. The university maintains a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports a 79.5% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 7,029 | 1,110 | 15.8% | 292 |
| Women | 7,551 | 1,358 | 18% | 344 |
Denison University admits 17.4% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Denison University has a cost of attendance of $86,900. With 12.6% Pell grant recipients and a substantial $1 billion endowment, the university serves low-income students while maintaining significant financial resources.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $276.
After aid, Denison University costs $40,007 a year — about 77% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Denison University has a 79.5% six-year graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $51,352 six years after enrollment and $67,753 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 65 |
| Mass Communication/Media Studies | 47 |
| International Business/Trade/Commerce | 42 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 39 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other | 36 |
| Data Science, General | 29 |
| Computer Science | 24 |
| Sports Studies | 24 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 17 |
| Writing, General | 13 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Denison University are $58,826, and 74% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Denison University students earn $51,352 — 13% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Denison University is a private nonprofit institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,380 students and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics, including football, with athletic revenue of $4.7 million.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
610 of 2,391 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 2,405 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.
Denison University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Denison University spends $13,659 per student on research — about 2× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Denison University is in Granville, OH, in what IPEDS classifies as a small suburb setting. The campus sits about 1.4 miles from the center of Granville. There are 11 other colleges within 25 miles, and Columbus, OH is 25.2 miles away.
Licking County scores 6.3 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 36% of Granville's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Denison University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Denison University reported 1 arrests and 109 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Denison University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Denison University has an acceptance rate of 17.4%, making it a highly selective institution. This competitive rate reflects the university's rigorous admissions standards and strong applicant pool.
The cost of attendance at Denison is $86,900 annually. This comprehensive figure includes tuition, room, board, and other expenses for full-time undergraduate students.
Yes, Denison provides financial aid to eligible students. The university has a strong endowment of over $1 billion, which supports substantial financial aid packages. About 12.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
Denison's 6-year graduation rate is 79.5%. For Pell Grant recipients specifically, the graduation rate is 81.5%, and for non-Pell students it's 79.7%, demonstrating strong completion rates across student populations.
Denison graduates earn a median of $51,352 six years after enrollment and $67,753 ten years after enrollment. These earnings reflect strong career outcomes and professional growth over time.
Denison has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,380 students, creating an intimate campus community. With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from close relationships with professors and personalized attention.
First-generation college students make up 17.1% of Denison's student body. The university actively supports these students in navigating their college experience and achieving academic success.
Denison's student body is 52.2% women, reflecting gender balance on campus. The university maintains a commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community of learners from various backgrounds.
Yes, Denison competes in NCAA Division III and fields a football team among other sports. Athletics play a significant role in campus life, with an athletic budget of $4.7 million supporting multiple varsity programs.
Denison combines a selective liberal arts education with a strong $1 billion endowment, exceptional student-faculty relationships (9:1 ratio), and a tight-knit residential community of 2,380 students. The university's commitment to supporting first-generation and Pell Grant students distinguishes it as an accessible yet rigorous institution.