University of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio · Private Nonprofit · 65.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
The University of Dayton is a mid-sized Catholic and Marianist university in Ohio enrolling 7,682 students, earning an overall ROI score of 83 (Strong Value). The sticker tuition of $49,140 drops to an average net price of $29,533, and the estimated four-year total cost of $118,132 is substantial, but the outcomes data make a compelling case: average six-year earnings of $48,300, a 6.4-year payback period, and a 90% repayment rate at three years are all indicators of strong graduate performance. The earnings premium sub-score of 75 reflects that UD graduates earn meaningfully more than a high school credential alternative. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.481 is moderate, and the institution's engineering and business programs drive much of the favorable outcomes. Pell Grant recipients represent only 16% of enrollment. Non-technical majors - particularly biology pre-med, criminal justice, and health preparatory programs - face materially different earnings trajectories and should model their specific program outcomes before enrolling.
University of Dayton scores in the top 11% of the schools we score, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Dayton
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $49,140/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $49,140/yr |
| Average net price | $29,533/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $118,132 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $75,537 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $48,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 80.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,682 |
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: $49,140/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $29,533/year, or roughly $118,132 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 $21,736/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $33,731/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $23,250, which works out to about $246 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($48,300) and comes to 0.48, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
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 | $21,736 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,595 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,155 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,871 |
| $110,001+ | $33,731 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (families under $30,000) pay approximately $21,736 annually at net price - roughly $86,944 over four years. This is a significant sum relative to average six-year earnings of $48,300. The 6.4-year payback period assumes moderate borrowing; students who borrow heavily to cover the gap will extend this materially. Pell Grants are critical to making UD accessible for this group, and students should target STEM or high-earnings programs to justify the investment.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students ($30,001 - $75,000) pay between $21,595 and $24,155 annually - among the most favorable net price bands, where UD's institutional aid is well-concentrated. At roughly $86,000 - $97,000 over four years, the total cost remains significant but is defensible for students in engineering, finance, or computer science. Students in lower-earning programs should weigh borrowing carefully against expected starting salaries.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($75,001 - $110,000) pay $26,871 annually, while the top band pays $33,731 - translating to over $100,000 - $135,000 total at net price. At these cost levels the financial case depends almost entirely on program selection. Engineering, computer science, and finance graduates will recover costs well within a decade; students in humanities, social sciences, or health pre-professional programs face substantially longer payback timelines and should evaluate with clear post-graduation plans.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Dayton with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $95,925 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,339 | B+ |
| Marketing | $80,677 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $67,231 | C |
| Teacher Education | $47,775 | C |
| Psychology | $54,909 | D |
| Electrical Engineering | $95,595 | B+ |
| Biology | $67,414 | D |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $76,475 | F |
| Chemical Engineering | $97,184 | B+ |
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.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering earns an A grade with four-year median earnings of $116,356 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.224. Only 37 graduates are in the cohort, so statistical precision is limited. The combination of Dayton's engineering reputation, proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and a robust defense and aerospace employer ecosystem in the Dayton metro supports these high early-career wages. Computer Engineering graduates here pay back their median debt rapidly.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering earns a B+ with four-year median earnings of $97,184 and first-year median earnings of $79,865. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.288 is well-controlled relative to borrowing levels. With 62 graduates in the cohort, statistical confidence is higher than in the Computer Engineering cohort. Chemical Engineering at Dayton benefits from the university's strong ties to industrial manufacturing and materials research employers in the Midwest corridor.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is UD's highest-volume technical program with 166 graduates and earns a B+ grade. Four-year median earnings of $88,339 and first-year earnings of $71,911 reflect strong demand for Dayton mechanical graduates in aerospace, automotive, and defense manufacturing. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.337 is reasonable. This program represents a reliable ROI anchor for the university.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance earns a B grade with four-year median earnings of $95,925, the highest among business programs, and first-year earnings of $64,371. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.353 reflects controlled borrowing. With 171 graduates, this is among UD's larger programs. The Dayton metro finance and corporate services sector supports solid placement, and ten-year earnings trajectories for finance graduates nationally suggest continued appreciation.
Psychology
Psychology earns a D grade with four-year median earnings of $54,909 and first-year earnings of $32,953. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.759 indicates borrowers are carrying substantial debt relative to initial wages. With 97 graduates in the cohort, this is a statistically meaningful signal. Psychology at Dayton, as at most institutions, serves students who plan to pursue graduate or professional education. Undergraduates who do not advance to graduate study should model carefully before borrowing above the minimum.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 87.5% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 90.2% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 89.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 90.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Dayton’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 | 65.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 600-690 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-31 |
| Enrollment | 7,682 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,699 |
Dayton admits 65% of applicants, with ACT 25th - 75th percentile of 25 - 31 and SAT ranges of 600 - 690 in both math and reading. The university uses a holistic process aligned with Marianist values of community and service. Demonstrated academic preparation in STEM or business is well-supported by the curriculum, and students with engineering or technical interests will find dedicated co-op and experiential learning infrastructure.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Dayton (this school) | 83 | $29,533 | $75,537 |
| Southern Methodist University | 79 | $40,892 | $78,354 |
| Elon University | 75 | $41,555 | $74,545 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | 74 | $41,272 | $84,131 |
| Allegheny Wesleyan College | 29 | $5,355 | $37,453 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | 9 | $34,253 | $34,368 |
Who Thrives Here
The University of Dayton fits students pursuing engineering, business, information systems, or technology pathways within a Marianist Catholic residential environment. The 80% completion rate and rapid payback period signal that students who commit tend to succeed. Academically, admitted students show ACT scores in the 25 - 31 range, indicating a selective-but-accessible institution. Students choosing liberal arts or health pre-professional tracks should model program-specific earnings carefully against the $29,533 annual net cost before enrolling.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, University of Dayton pays off. You'd pay about $29,533 a year after aid ($118,132 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $75,537 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 6.4 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 80.2% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,250 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $48,300 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, 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.
University of Dayton: Common Questions
Is University of Dayton worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students University of Dayton pays off. It scores 83/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $29,533 a year after aid ($118,132 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $75,537 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 6.4 years to earn back.
How much does University of Dayton 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 $29,533 a year, or roughly $118,132 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 University of Dayton graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $75,537 ten years after enrolling, roughly $33,737 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 University of Dayton?
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 6.4 years for University of Dayton. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of Dayton graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $23,250, against average earnings of $48,300 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48. 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 University of Dayton?
The six-year graduation rate is 80.2%, 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.