Acceptance Rate
17%
Avg. SAT
1490
75th percentile
“Denison wraps you in a tight-knit liberal arts hug on a storybook Ohio hilltop, where small classes and big ambitions collide far from urban distractions.”
Granville, OH
Location
Small Suburb
Campus Setting
You'll step onto Denison's sprawling 850-acre hilltop campus in Granville, a postcard-perfect village of 5,600 founded by Welsh settlers in 1805, feeling worlds away from the frenzy of nearby Columbus—only 30 minutes east but a lifetime removed in vibe. Established in 1831 by Ohio Baptists to train missionaries, Denison shed its religious roots by the early 1900s to become a secular liberal arts college that prizes intellectual curiosity over dogma. Its personality shines as warm and unpretentious: think collaborative over cutthroat, with students who dive into everything from a cappella to ultimate frisbee. You thrive here if you're self-motivated, community-oriented, and okay trading city nightlife for stargazing hikes; the tradeoff hits hard for party-chasers or those craving anonymity in a sea of 2,400 undergrads where everyone knows your name.
Photo Gallery
+30
+22
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Denison's seminar-style classrooms averaging 16 students, professors—many with PhDs from Ivies like Yale and Michigan—treat you like a colleague, sparking debates that spill into coffee chats rather than lecturing from podiums. The neuroscience program stands out, sending grads to top med schools with hands-on labs rivaling bigger schools, while economics and environmental studies draw on Ohio's rust-belt backdrop for real-world policy projects. You'll craft your path through the innovative Gateways curriculum, blending majors with internships abroad or in D.C., backed by a 9:1 student-faculty ratio that's more intimate than 90% of U.S. colleges. But don't expect massive research labs; undergrads lead projects, yet scale lags behind research giants—perfect if you want mentorship, frustrating if you chase prestige publications.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
2,394 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
60%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
7%
Asian
4%
Other / Multi-racial
23%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Granville, OH
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week at Denison pulses with morning hikes across wooded trails, afternoon club meetings (pick from 230+ options like quidditch or sustainable farming), and Friday tailgates before Big Red football games that light up Doane Stadium. Greek life claims about 35% but doesn't dominate the four residential quads, where you bond over quad-wide pizza parties or late-night study grinds in cedar-paneled dorms. Traditions like the all-campus "Denison Day" of service or the candlelit Kenyon rivalry vigil infuse quirky spirit, while weekends mix on-campus bashes with Columbus bar hops. The vibe stays friendly and inclusive, but Ohio winters bury you in gray slush, and the small-town bubble can feel claustrophobic—escape to the artsy Newport Music Hall or COSI science center when isolation creeps in.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
North Coast Athletic Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$12,160
$30K – $48K
$17,948
$48K – $75K
$20,322
$75K – $110K
$30,365
$110K+
$41,966
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
89%
4 Years Graduation Rate
76%
6 Years Graduation Rate
82%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$67,753
89% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Denison University and return in the fall. 76% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 82% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
76%
4-6 years
6%
Non-grad
18%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$60,000
Acceptance
17%
Undergrads
2,394
4-Year Grad Rate
76%
Endowment
$708M
Granville, OH 43023
Explore More