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How to Get Into Denison University

Granville, OH · Private nonprofit · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data

Denison University Admissions Statistics

17.4%
Acceptance Rate
660-730
SAT Reading (mid 50%)
660-760
SAT Math (mid 50%)
30-33
ACT (mid 50%)
2,380
Undergrads
79%
Graduation Rate

How to Actually Get Into Denison University

Understand what 17.4% really means

At Denison University's admit rate, your position against the published ranges genuinely matters. Land above the middle 50% and this behaves like a target; inside it, a true toss-up worth real effort on essays and fit signals; below it, treat it as a reach. Place it on your list accordingly instead of trusting the headline rate.

Position your scores against the real bands

The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1320-1490 combined SAT or 30-33 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you and this can behave like a target. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Since scores are not required (test-optional) here, submit only if you're inside or above the band; a below-band score is information you don't have to volunteer.

Use the Early Decision round deliberately

Denison University offers Early Decision, which is binding. The early bump is real but overstated (hooked applicants cluster early and inflate it). Spend ED once, on the school where it actually moves you a tier, and only if the money works without comparing aid offers. If that school is Denison University, the deadline table below is your calendar.

The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where Denison University fits.

Denison University Application Deadlines (2025-2026)

Round Deadline
Early Decision (ED) November 15, 2025
Early Decision II (ED II) January 15, 2026
Regular Decision (RD) January 15, 2026

Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.

Application Requirements & Costs

Application platform Common App
Application fee $0
Test scores Not required (test-optional)
Writing supplement Not required
Counselor recommendation Required
Teacher evaluations 1

Denison University Cost & Financial Aid

Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) $81,900
Tuition & fees $67,000
Room & board (on campus) $16,400
Average net price (aid-receiving families) $40,007

What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income

Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:

Family income Average net price / year
$0-30k $16,656
$30-48k $13,086
$48-75k $17,827
$75-110k $20,839
$110k+ $48,472
12.6%
Students receiving Pell Grants
51%
Students taking federal loans
89%
Freshman retention rate
9:1
Student-faculty ratio

These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:

Use Denison University's Official Net Price Calculator →

More Denison University Data, Coming Soon

We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for Denison University:

Programs & Majors Soon Every degree program at Denison University, with outcomes
Transfer Pathways Soon How to transfer into Denison University, and where transfers come from
Institutional Aid Soon Denison University's own grants and how they're awarded
Private Scholarships Soon Outside scholarships Denison University students actually win

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