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    Denison University

    denison.edu Black Arrow Icon
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    Overview

    Denison University, located in Granville, Ohio, is a liberal arts college known for its beautiful campus and strong sense of community. Denison offers a wide range of academic programs, including notable programs in economics and psychology. The university is also known for its active student organizations and vibrant campus life.

    There are currently 2,406 undergraduates at Denison and the school’s acceptance rate is 22%. The tuition at Denison is $60,000.

    Denison University
    Liberal Arts Liberal Arts
    Liberal Arts colleges offer great opportunities for students to decide what they want to study. A Liberal Arts education is typically well-rounded and produces graduates who have a solid understanding of many topics. These schools tend to be smaller than universities.
    21 Suburb
    Suburban schools are a great option for students who want to take advantage of the amenities of the city while escaping the hustle and bustle. At a suburban school you’ll be within a stone’s throw of the city, but you will maintain a strong campus culture and remain grounded in your college’s community.
    Need Blind 100% Need
    Denison University has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial need. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.
    QuestBridge QuestBridge
    Denison University is a QuestBridge Partner College, which means that QuestBridge recipients can use their scholarship funds to attend this school.
    Show More

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $76,900

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $42,766

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $34,134

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $60,000
    Books & Supplies
    $1,000
    Room & Board
    $14,400
    Other
    $1,500

    Estimated Cost:

    $76,900

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Denison is $76,900. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Denison would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Denison University Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Denison need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Denison is 003042 and the CSS Profile Code is 1164.


    It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:


    Using State Grants at Denison

    If you're an Ohio resident considering Denison, be sure to look into state grants like the Ohio College Opportunity Grant and Choose Ohio First. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant for students with high demonstrated financial need. You can use it at both private and public schools, and the award varies based on need and academic program. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is available to Ohio students pursuing a STEM degree in-state.

    Denison University QuestBridge Scholarships

    Denison is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Denison University through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.

    Denison University’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee

    Denison has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.

    No Loan Policy at Denison

    Denison is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Denison's website for details on their No-Loan policy.

    Colleges that Change Lives

    Denison is a member of the Colleges that Change Lives coalition. This is a coalition based on Loren Pope’s 1996 book about colleges that provide an education that is valuable beyond the numbers. There are many types of schools on this list, but the organization has vetted each school to ensure it is student-friendly, offering small classes and individual attention to each pupil. These schools also tend to take a holistic approach to admissions and demonstrate strong outcomes for their alumni. Schools on this list have all undergone a thorough review to ensure that they provide a quality education to their students.

    Midwest Student Tuition Exchange

    Denison is in a state that participates in the Midwest Student Exchange. That means that if you are a resident of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you may qualify for discounted tuition at Denison. This program applies to both private and public institutions, although the discount at private institutions is lower. Check their website for more information on eligibility and what your discount would be.

    Pell Grants at Denison University

    13% of students at Denison University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Denison University.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Denison students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Denison University Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Denison or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    22%

    Admission Rate

    30

    Average ACT

    Coalition Colleges

    Denison is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Denison via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

    Does Denison University charge an application fee?

    Good news! Denison University does not charge application fees, so you can apply for free. If you think there is any chance you’d like to attend Denison University, consider sending in an application since it will not cost you anything.

    Is Denison test-optional?

    Denison University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Denison?

    Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Denison University. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.

    November
    15

    Early Decision I

    January
    15

    Early Decision II

    January
    15

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Denison?

    Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Denison during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At Denison students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.


    You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.

    Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Denison?

    Applying to Denison with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.


    Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 9:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 85%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Social Sciences

    21%

    21% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Psychology

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    6%

    6% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    3%

    3% of graduates

    History

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Education

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Mathematics

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 2,406

    Pell Grant 14%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 0%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%

    Percent Male / Female 48% / 52%

    Ethnic Diversity at Denison

    61% White

    17% International / Non-Citizen

    7% Hispanic

    6% Black

    4% Multiracial

    3% Asian / Pacific Islander

    2% Unknown

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $67,753

    Median Debt $26,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $276

    Graduation Rate 85%

    What is the graduation rate at Denison University?

    85% of students who start at Denison University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 27% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Denison University go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Denison University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $67,753. This is $17,362 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Denison take out in loans?

    Graduates of Denison have to take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. This is $12,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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