Granville, OH · Private University
Is Denison University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$67,753
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,000
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,000
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$256,000
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.06x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
80.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$38,111
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Denison University graduates earn $22,753 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Denison University ranked by graduate earnings
49 graduates
17 graduates
19 graduates
22 graduates
53 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Denison University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Denison University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $69,793) and the lowest (Research and Experimental Psychology: $36,909) is $32,884/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $69,793 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,094 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $55,445 | 0.9x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $53,516 | 0.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,234 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $48,727 | 0.8x |
| Sociology and Anthropology | $46,771 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $42,411 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental PsychologyLowest(1yr data) | $36,909 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denison University | 1.06x | $67,753 | Average ROI |
| Vassar College | 1.05x | $71,366 | Average ROI |
| Wesleyan University | 1.10x | $73,897 | Average ROI |
| Skidmore College | 1.07x | $69,363 | Average ROI |
| Hamilton College | 1.19x | $78,411 | Average ROI |
| Colgate University | 1.27x | $85,139 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Denison University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $67,753 10 years after starting — $22,753 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.8 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.