Admit rate has ranged 62%–81% 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.
The University of Dayton is a mid-sized, private Catholic university where community isn't just a buzzword—it's the literal architecture. The campus is built around a unique, porch-clad student neighborhood that fosters a tight-knit, residential vibe, underpinned by a Marianist commitment to service and learning. With a practical, career-focused academic portfolio of over 80 undergraduate programs, particularly strong in engineering, business, and education, UD delivers solid post-graduation outcomes and a high-energy campus life anchored by Division I athletics.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
7,682
In-state tuition
$49,140
Out-of-state tuition
$49,140
No-Loan Policy
No
Graduation Rate
80%
Meets Full Need
No
ED Share of Class
Not in sources
First-Year Retention
Not in sources
Demonstrated Interest
Considered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$75,537
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$75,537
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.6×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
80%
First-year retention
89%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
84%
Pell (lower-income) share
16%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
10%
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
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.
Computer Engineering$74,576
Chemical Engineering$72,274
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$70,456
Mechanical Engineering$68,688
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians$67,660
Management Information Systems and Services
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
49
Per 1,000 students
4.69
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
83°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
42.6"
Annual snow
18.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
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
286
Scholarly works
22,921
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
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
37%
From bottom quintile
2%
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 University of Dayton?
University of Dayton's acceptance rate is approximately 65% (Dayton, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Dayton?
Admitted students at University of Dayton typically score 1200–1380 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Dayton cost?
At University of Dayton, the average net price (after aid) is about $29,533 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Dayton?
University of Dayton enrolls approximately 7,682 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Dayton located?
University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH.
Admissions
Dayton's admissions process is moderately selective, offering multiple pathways for applicants. The university is , allowing students to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, though it provides its average scores as a benchmark for competitiveness. For those who do submit, the middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1200–1380. The university offers both Early Action and Early Decision plans. For the Class of 2028, the school reported 3,550 Early Decision applications and accepted 606 students, resulting in an Early Decision of 17.07%. Demonstrated interest is considered a factor in the admissions decision, meaning visits, contact with admissions officers, and engagement can play a role. The overall acceptance rate is 65%.
UD's academic identity is defined by breadth and practical application. The university offers over 80 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate and doctoral programs, allowing for significant exploration. Popular majors include Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Biology, and Accounting. The curriculum aims to pair technical proficiency with human strengths like collaboration, critical inquiry, leadership, and empathy. A major selling point, particularly for engineers and scientists, is the depth of internship and co-op opportunities integrated into the academic experience. This focus on real-world application is a cornerstone of the UD education, preparing students not just with knowledge but with professional experience.
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.
$63,749
Civil Engineering$62,707
Accounting and Related Services$58,152
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.
Life at UD is intensely communal, centered on what the university calls "the only porch-clad neighborhood of its kind in the country." This unique residential setup—where students live in university-owned houses with front porches—creates a small-town atmosphere within the city of Dayton. The campus buzzes with activity, supported by over 240 student organizations, a vibrant arts and culture scene, campus recreation, and faith opportunities rooted in its Marianist Catholic heritage. That Marianist culture, emphasizing community, service, and integrity, is deeply embedded into the student experience from the moment they arrive. The campus is considered beautiful and active, with class sizes typically kept manageable, often no more than 30 in first-year courses. Adding to the energy is a full slate of NCAA Division I athletics, where students rally as the Flyers.
The University of Dayton delivers strong, tangible results for its graduates. According to its most recent First Destination Survey, a remarkable 97% of recent graduates reported being successfully launched, whether through employment, graduate school, or service. The average starting salary for these graduates was $61,798. The university's overall graduation rate is 80%, indicating a supportive environment that sees students through to completion. Longer-term earnings data shows solid growth, with median earnings 10 years after entry at $75,537. Certain programs report exceptional success; for example, the School of Business boasts a 99% post-graduation success rate for its graduates, with specific average starting salaries like $68,575 for Accounting and $74,643 for Management Information Systems.
UD employs a fixed net tuition guarantee, locking in a student's tuition rate for all four years of undergraduate study to provide cost certainty. The average after aid is $29,533. Financial aid is widespread, with 97% of undergraduates receiving some form of assistance, which can include merit scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. The university offers substantial merit-based scholarships, with awards up to $34,000 per year. It is important to note that while UD is generous with aid, it is not listed among institutions with a "no-loan" policy that meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans. Students should expect financial aid packages to potentially include a self-help component of loans and work-study alongside grants and scholarships.
The University of Dayton carves out a distinctive niche by physically building its celebrated sense of community. The porch-lined student neighborhood is a unique residential model in American higher education, fostering connections that define the undergraduate experience. This is not a commuter school or a collection of anonymous dorms; it's a designed community. That ethos is amplified by its foundational Marianist character, which integrates service and ethical reflection into campus life without feeling dogmatic. Academically, UD avoids the trap of being a generic liberal arts college by leaning hard into professional preparation, especially through its renowned co-op and internship programs that give students a decisive edge in the job market. It’s a school that understands its mission: to create capable, connected graduates who are ready to work, lead, and contribute from day one.
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