UChicago vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Chicago is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 2,394 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Denison University 9:1.

UChicago vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or Denison? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Chicago than Denison ($28,060 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 18.4% lower than at University of Chicago ($16,400 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $3,662 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at UChicago than at Denison University (about $3,662 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at University of Chicago (94% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 63.2% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($62,300 vs. $38,179).

UChicago vs. Denison Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago or Denison? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Denison and UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 140 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming UChicago students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Chicago 34/35; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UChicago students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 23.8% at Denison.

UChicago vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and Denison? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Chicago's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $42,400 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($14,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($149 vs. $268).
• More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.