University of Dayton
#1 Best Business Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 81% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $75,537 A
- Top 5% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $29,533 F
- 72% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 65% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $16.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,794,104.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 85% more than the national college median.
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A 81% graduation rate — 42% above the national average.
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Inventor rate in the top 22% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 1.1%
- Top 22%
- Patents
- 123
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 39
- Downstream influence
Why University of Dayton Matters
University of Dayton is a private research university in Dayton, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 5% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 7,682
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, Communications
Why students choose University of Dayton
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 65% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1200–1380. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $29,533 a year after grants and scholarships — 72% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $75,537 ten years after enrolling — 85% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 93% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.68 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 7,700 students, the University of Dayton is a solid choice for those looking for a supportive community where they can delve into popular fields like Business, Engineering, Health Professions, and Education. The acceptance rate sits at 65%, which suggests that while the university is selective, it remains accessible to a wide range of applicants. Students here can expect a collaborative environment that emphasizes not just academic achievement but also personal growth.
After graduation, students can look forward to a positive financial trajectory, with a median earnings figure of $75,537 ten years post-graduation. That’s an encouraging number, especially when we consider how it reflects the value of the education received. The affordability factor is also noteworthy; with a net price of $29,533 after aid, many graduates find themselves in a manageable position, particularly when the median debt stands at $23,250. This balance of earnings and debt paints a hopeful picture for future alumni.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Dayton, the financial commitment is reasonable, especially given that 16% of students receive Pell Grants. This suggests that there’s a supportive structure in place for those who might need it. Students who thrive here often share a common drive to succeed academically and personally, making the most of the university's resources and community spirit.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Dayton is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Dayton? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Dayton, located in Dayton, Ohio, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,335. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- SAT Average
- 1335
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1200–1380
- ACT Range
- 25–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 70%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,699
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.36
- First-Gen Students
- 10%
- Applicants
- 18,864
- Admitted
- 13,969
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Dayton? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Dayton is $49,140, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,533. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,736 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $49,140
- Out-of-State
- $49,140
- Avg Net Price
- $29,533
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $21,736
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,595
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $24,155
- Family Income $110K+
- $33,731
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Dayton — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Dayton Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Dayton earn a median of $75,537, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $62,477
- 8 Years
- $69,652
- 10 Years
- $75,537
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.31x
- Earning > $25K
- 82%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,366)
- 63%
- 100% (1,366)
- 63%
- 100% (1,366)
- 63%
- 100% (1,366)
- 63%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of University of Dayton’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- GE Aerospace ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- EY (Ernst & Young) ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- University of Dayton ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Reynolds and Reynolds ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- TQL (Total Quality Logistics) ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- TEKsystems ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Honda ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- RoviSys ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Dayton Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Dayton delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $29,533/year ($118,132 total). Graduates earn $75,537 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,912,236 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,794,104 (16.2× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 81% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $118,132
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,912,236
- Net Return
- $1,794,104
- ROI Multiple
- 16.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $29,533
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Dayton Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Dayton is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.65%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 36.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $128,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.65%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 36.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 1.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $174,451
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Dayton produces inventors at an above-average rate (top 22% nationally), with 123 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 1.12%
- Top 22% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 123
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 39
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.56%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-32,481,000
Top Programs
The fields University of Dayton awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 29% $75,746 early-career
- Engineering 16% $88,611 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $128,963 early-career
- Communications 8% $50,183 early-career
- Education 7% $45,208 early-career
- Psychology 6% $39,261 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $33,059 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Dayton's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Dayton? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Dayton, located in Dayton, Ohio, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,335. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Dayton? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Dayton is $49,140, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,533. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,736 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is University of Dayton Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Dayton earn a median of $75,537, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does University of Dayton Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Dayton is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.65%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 36.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $128,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Dayton? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Dayton. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Dayton.
- Elon UniversityElon, NC · Close peer84% grad $74,545 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI · Close peer82% grad $78,257 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- American UniversityWashington, DC · Close peer77% grad $77,370 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FL · Close peer67% grad $84,131 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size
- University of St ThomasSaint Paul, MN · Close peer76% grad $73,739 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rutgers University-NewarkNewark, NJ · Close peer66% grad $74,479 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Dayton? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Dayton. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note