Denison University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Denison University is a private institution located in Granville, Ohio and one of the highly selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Denison University admits between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 20%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1360 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $40,007 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Denison University?

Most admitted students at Denison University present unweighted GPAs in the 3.85–4.0 range with five or more AP or honors courses across high school.

What does Denison University weight in admissions?

Denison University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Denison University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–760, with an EBRW midpoint near 650. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Denison University actually cost?

Published tuition is $67,000 for in-state students and $67,000 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,400 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $40,007 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 13% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Denison University

Will my child graduate from Denison University?

These predict outcomes at Denison University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Denison University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Denison University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Communication and Media Studies and International Business. Across all programs, Denison University confers roughly 385 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $83,351 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Denison University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Denison University disclosed 19 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 14 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Denison University?

About 99% of undergraduates at Denison University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 19% of men join a fraternity and 28% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Ohio parents ask about

• College of Wooster
  60% acceptance
• Ohio Wesleyan University
  56% acceptance
• Capital University
  70% acceptance
• Otterbein University
  85% acceptance
• Ohio State University-Main Campus
  61% acceptance
• University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
  85% acceptance
• Case Western Reserve University
  37% acceptance
• University of Dayton
  65% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Denison University