Dayton, OH · Private University
Is University of Dayton Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$75,537
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$47,600
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$47,600
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$190,400
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.59x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
81.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$31,236
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Dayton graduates earn $30,537 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 University of Dayton ranked by graduate earnings
71 graduates
27 graduates
182 graduates
34 graduates
45 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Dayton
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Dayton, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $90,775) and the lowest (Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology: $23,609) is $67,166/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $90,775 | 1.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $87,086 | 1.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,262 | 1.8x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $82,448 | 1.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $77,401 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $75,643 | 1.6x |
| International Business | $74,631 | 1.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $74,487 | 1.6x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $74,052 | 1.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $73,975 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $73,272 | 1.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,243 | 1.5x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $70,559 | 1.5x |
| Marketing | $69,513 | 1.5x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $67,735 | 1.4x |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $61,398 | 1.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,466 | 1.3x |
| International/Global Studies | $58,067 | 1.2x |
| Economics | $56,812 | 1.2x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,612 | 1.2x |
| Biology, General | $54,629 | 1.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $54,248 | 1.1x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $50,910 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $50,757 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,560 | 1.0x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $44,985 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,038 | 0.9x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyLowest(1yr data) | $23,609 | 0.5x |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Dayton | 1.59x | $75,537 | Good ROI |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 1.34x | $76,571 | Average ROI |
| Marist University | 1.69x | $77,819 | Good ROI |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | 1.60x | $82,592 | Good ROI |
| Hofstra University | 1.25x | $69,039 | Average ROI |
| DePaul University | 1.55x | $68,751 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Dayton offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $75,537 10 years after starting — $30,537 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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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.