Denison University
Granville, Ohio · Private Nonprofit · 17.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 60/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Denison University earns an overall ROI score of 60 (Fair Value). Earnings hit $41,600 six years out and $67,753 at 10 years, with $26,000 median debt and debt-to-earnings of 0.625. Payback runs just 9.2 years. The standout metrics are completion at 78.9% and repayment at 84.7% three-year (climbing to 86.5% by year seven). Denison's value math depends heavily on income-tier aid: low- and middle-income families pay $13K-$21K net, while families over $110K pay $48,472 - a striking jump that reflects need-blind aggressive aid policy. Best ROI program is Economics at B-grade with $97,394 four-year earnings. The institution functions like a competitive liberal arts college: strong outcomes for those who get in and especially for those receiving need-based aid.
Denison University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $67,000/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $67,000/yr |
| Average net price | $40,007/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $160,028 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,753 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 78.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,380 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $67,000/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $40,007/year, or roughly $160,028 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $16,656/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $48,472/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $26,000, which works out to about $276 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($41,600) and comes to 0.63, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,656 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,086 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,827 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,839 |
| $110,001+ | $48,472 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30K pay $16,656 net - a tremendous discount off the $67,000 sticker. Four-year cost is $67K, which against the $41,600 six-year average earnings and especially the $67,753 median ten-year figure produces a strong financial case. Pell-eligible students should consider Denison genuinely affordable.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30-48K bracket pays $13,086 - actually the lowest of any bracket, indicating very generous need-based aid at this income level. The 48-75K bracket pays $17,827 and 75-110K pays $20,839. Four-year cost runs $52K-$83K depending on band. These are exceptionally strong values for an elite liberal arts education.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families over $110K pay $48,472 - a dramatic jump that captures the full sticker burden.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Denison University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $97,394 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,730 | C+ |
| Biology | $55,654 | D |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $36,909 | C |
| International Business | $53,516 | C+ |
| International Relations | $31,272 | D |
| Education, General | $65,429 | - |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $36,236 | - |
| Sociology and Anthropology | $49,035 | F |
| Romance Languages | $49,358 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Economics
Economics earns a B with 78 graduates - the largest program at Denison. Graduates earn $55,087 one year out and $97,394 at four years against $24,102 median debt. Debt-to-earnings of 0.438 is solid. The four-year earnings figure is exceptional for a liberal arts school and reflects strong placement into finance, consulting, and analytical career tracks. This is the canonical Denison value story.
International Business
International Business earns a C+ with 44 graduates. First-year earnings of $53,516 against $26,960 debt produces a 0.504 ratio. Four-year earnings are suppressed but the starting wage and debt structure are healthy. Strong companion track to Economics.
Communication and Media Studies
Communication and Media Studies earns a C+ with 51 graduates. Earnings of $47,396 first-year and $66,730 at four years against $25,187 debt produces a 0.531 ratio. Strong trajectory for a discipline that nationally struggles. Denison's network and pedagogical strength evidently translate well into communications careers.
Research and Experimental Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology earns a C with 45 graduates. First-year earnings of $36,909 against $25,645 debt produces a 0.695 ratio. The four-year earnings figure is suppressed but the typical trajectory for psych graduates depends heavily on graduate study. Defensible at Denison's net-price-by-income reality for low- and middle-income families.
Biology
Biology earns a D with 47 graduates. First-year earnings of $31,017 against $25,000 debt produces a 0.806 ratio. Four-year earnings climb to $55,654. This is a graduate-school feeder major; the undergraduate financial picture is weak but most Denison bio graduates pursue medicine, dentistry, or PhD pipelines where the four-year salary figure understates ultimate earnings.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.1% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.7% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 82.8% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Denison University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 17.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 660-760 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 660-730 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 30-33 |
| Enrollment | 2,380 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 12.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,237 |
Denison admits 17.4% of applicants - selective. SAT mid-ranges of 660-760 math and 660-730 reading and ACT 30-33 indicate a strongly prepared student body. The high selectivity correlates with the 78.9% completion rate: students who get in are academically equipped to finish, and Denison delivers on that expectation. Prospective students should treat Denison as a reach-or-match school depending on profile, with strong correlation between admit and graduate outcomes.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denison University (this school) | 60 | $40,007 | $67,753 |
| AdventHealth University | 63 | $30,135 | $72,282 |
| St. Francis College | 57 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | 57 | $50,507 | $68,140 |
| Allegheny Wesleyan College | 29 | $5,355 | $37,453 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | 9 | $34,253 | $34,368 |
Who Thrives Here
Denison fits academically strong students seeking a residential liberal arts experience with strong outcomes. Pell rate is 12.6% - low, reflecting both selectivity and a wealthier student body, though the aggressive low-income aid scheme indicates Denison genuinely competes for Pell-eligible applicants. Enrollment is 2,380.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Denison University is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $40,007 a year after aid ($160,028 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $67,753 a decade out, the cost takes about 9.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: its 78.9% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. What to keep an eye on: weak earnings relative to cost.
Median debt of $26,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $41,600 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Denison University: Common Questions
Is Denison University worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Denison University is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 60/100 on our ROI scale. At $40,007 a year after aid ($160,028 over four years) against $67,753 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 9.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Denison University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $40,007 a year, or roughly $160,028 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Denison University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $67,753 ten years after enrolling, roughly $25,953 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Denison University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 9.2 years for Denison University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Denison University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $26,000, against average earnings of $41,600 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Denison University?
The six-year graduation rate is 78.9%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.