Admit rate has ranged 42%–63% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Defiance College, a small private liberal arts school in rural Ohio, offers a tight-knit, supportive community where students can thrive in hands-on programs like engineering and social work. With an acceptance rate hovering around 50%, it's accessible yet selective enough to maintain academic standards. The college struggles with low graduation rates (37%) but provides substantial financial aid, making it a practical choice for students seeking personalized attention and real-world preparation.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
499
In-state tuition
$29,320
Out-of-state tuition
$29,320
Location
Defiance, OH
Acceptance Rate
42-71% (varies by source)
Most Popular Majors
Social Work, Business, Criminal Justice
Student-Faculty Ratio
15:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
29%
6-Year Graduation Rate
37%
Median Early-Career Salary
$36,427
Average Financial Aid Award
$21,432
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,351
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$26,813
Graduation rate
31%
First-year retention
56%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
53%
Pell (lower-income) share
53%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$40,170
Financial health
1.1 / 3.0Passing, but in the added-oversight zone
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Accounting and Related Services$36,848
Business/Commerce, General$34,704
Criminal Justice and Corrections$33,993
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$27,488
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$25,194
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
89
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
24°F
Annual rain
36.8"
Annual snow
22.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
27
Scholarly works
485
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.1%
Bottom → top quintile
22%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Defiance College?
Defiance College's acceptance rate is approximately 48% (Defiance, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Defiance College cost?
At Defiance College, the average net price (after aid) is about $26,337 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Defiance College?
Defiance College enrolls approximately 499 undergraduate students.
Where is Defiance College located?
Defiance College is located in Defiance, OH.
Admissions
Defiance College is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 42.4% to 71.17% across sources, likely reflecting fluctuations in application pools. The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 19-22 on the ACT or 970-1080 on the SAT. Most successful applicants have at least a B average in high school coursework. The college uses a rolling admissions process, giving applicants flexibility in timing their submissions.
With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, Defiance emphasizes small classes and personalized attention. The most popular majors include Social Work, Business/Commerce, and Criminal Justice, while unique offerings include specialized engineering tracks (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical) and Autism Studies. The curriculum focuses on 'real-world projects' and problem-solving methods, with particular strengths in hands-on fields. Humanities and social sciences are also well-represented, with programs in Communications, History, and Religious Studies.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Campus culture revolves around close-knit relationships, with 77% of students living on campus. The college describes itself as 'one big family,' fostering a supportive environment through activities like orientation events where new students bond with peers and faculty. Athletics play a significant role in campus life, with the Yellow Jackets teams drawing school spirit. Student organizations and leadership opportunities help round out the experience beyond academics.
The college faces challenges with retention and graduation, with only 37% of students completing their degrees within six years (placing it in the bottom 15% nationally). Four-year graduation rates are even lower at 29%. However, alumni earn a median salary of $36,427 one year post-graduation, rising to $39,303 after six years—comparable to many regional peers. These outcomes suggest that while many students struggle to persist, those who do graduate find reasonable career traction.
Defiance College is relatively affordable for a private institution, with Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. around $24,098 after aid. A remarkable 88% of first-year students receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., with average awards of $21,432. The college offers multiple scholarships and encourages families to use its Net Price Calculator for accurate estimates. This strong financial support helps offset the sticker price, making Defiance accessible to middle-income students who might otherwise overlook private colleges.
Defiance College shines in two key areas: its intimate learning environment and its pragmatic approach to career preparation. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized mentorship, while programs like Autism Studies and specialized engineering tracks offer rare opportunities at a small liberal arts college. Though graduation rates are a concern, the college's substantial financial aid and focus on real-world skills—from research competencies to problem-solving—make it a compelling option for hands-on learners who thrive in close communities.
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