Denison University
Granville, Ohio · Private Nonprofit · 17.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 60/100 · Fair Value
Denison University earns an overall ROI score of 60 (Fair Value), the strongest score in this batch. The elite liberal arts college in Granville, OH lists $67,000 tuition with an average net price of $40,007 -- a $160,028 four-year cost on paper. Median 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) -- among the best in CampusROI's database. 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. Average faculty salary is $11,237, well above sector norms. 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 |
| Median 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 sticker price at Denison University is $67,000/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $40,007/year, or roughly $160,028 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $16,656/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $48,472/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $276 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,753 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.63 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 median earnings and especially the $67,753 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. Four-year cost runs $194K. At this price the value question is whether Denison's brand, network, and individualized education justify the spend over flagship state alternatives. For full-pay families, that case requires belief in liberal arts pedagogy and elite-alumni network value.
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 | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 82.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
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.
CampusROI peer set includes Allegheny Wesleyan College, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Rhode Island School of Design, St. Francis College, and AdventHealth University -- a mixed peer group. The more informative peer institutions in liberal arts college space (Kenyon, Oberlin, Wooster) are not in this set. Among the listed peers, RISD has comparably strong outcomes within its art-focused niche, while the other peers are weaker matches. Denison sits in the upper tier of Ohio private liberal arts ROI alongside Kenyon and Oberlin.
| 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 fit case is strongest for economics, international business, and communication tracks; humanities majors at this price tag should weigh the cost against state alternatives despite Denison's prestige.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Denison University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $40,007 per year leads to $160,028 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $67,753 a decade out. The payback period of 9.2 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include a 78.9% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost.
Median debt of $26,000 against $67,753 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.