UC vs. University of Dayton

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with University of Dayton in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

UC vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC or University of Dayton? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus than University of Dayton ($24,696 vs. $32,794).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 19.3% lower than at University of Dayton ($13,564 vs. $16,800).
• University of Dayton is 251.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $35,164 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.7% higher at University of Dayton than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $19,830 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 307.7% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($33,418 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC or University of Dayton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Dayton and UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dayton (1290) is 20 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming University of Dayton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; University of Dayton 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than University of Dayton (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

UC vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC and University of Dayton? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Dayton's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 57%)

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.