University of Dayton
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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, Education
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, admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 65%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,335. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 81%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending University of Dayton, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $49,140 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $29,533 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,736 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $23,250.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 — an exceptional return on investment that outpaces national averages for bachelor's-degree holders.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
Where Grads Go
Top employers of University of Dayton’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
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%?
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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
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.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields University of Dayton awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Dayton's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Dayton? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
University of Dayton, located in Dayton, Ohio, admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 65%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,335. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Dayton? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending University of Dayton, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $49,140 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $29,533 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,736 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $23,250.
Is University of Dayton Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of University of Dayton earn a median of $75,537 — an exceptional return on investment that outpaces national averages 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 useful read on 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.68 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely 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.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.68 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.