At $38,111/yr net price, Denison University graduates earn $67,753/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,753/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $38,111 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $152,444 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,753/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,753/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,093/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,775/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,451/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,492/yr |
| $110,001+ | $46,510/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $50,439 | $22,375 |
| History. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $24,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $36,134 | $25,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $32,569 | |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | Bachelor | $29,685 |
The Risk Factor
80.1% of students at Denison University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Denison's financial picture is mixed: an 80% graduation rate and $26,000 median debt sit against a $38,111 net price that ranks among the higher sticker costs for an Ohio private school. Median earnings ten years out land at $67,753, which clears the debt load comfortably but takes time to arrive.
Economics is the clear payoff here. It leads the listed programs on early earnings by roughly $12,000 over the next-best major, and its graduates carry less debt than most. History, political science, communication, and international relations all start in the mid-$30,000s. That's a wide gap. If you major in one of the liberal-arts fields and finance it with the full $24,000-plus in debt those programs carry, your first years after graduation will be tight, and the $67,753 median suggests earnings climb well past the early figures over a decade.
The specific risk is the cost-to-early-earnings math. A communication or international relations degree here starts near $35,000 while you pay a private-college net price. That only works if you stay to graduate and let earnings compound, or if you land aid.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay between $12,775 and $15,451 a year. Above $75,000 the price jumps to $29,492, and over $110,000 you pay $46,510. Denison is a strong value for lower- and middle-income families and an expensive full-pay school otherwise.
Denison fits you if you're aiming at economics or graduate school and qualify for the lower net-price tiers. If you're set on a low-earning major, plan to pay full price, and want quick payback on cost, look at cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denison University worth the cost?
Denison's $38,111 annual net price leads to median earnings of $67,753 after 10 years, which is decent but not exceptional for the cost. Economics majors fare better at $50,439, while other popular majors like political science and communications start around $35,000-38,000.
What is the return on investment for Denison University graduates?
With $26,000 median debt and starting salaries that vary widely by major, Denison's ROI depends heavily on your field of study. Economics graduates see much better returns than humanities majors, who often start below $40,000.
How much debt do Denison University students graduate with?
Denison graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, this debt load becomes more concerning for graduates in lower-paying fields like political science or communications.
Which Denison University programs offer the best career prospects?
Economics stands out as the clear winner with median earnings of $50,439. Other popular majors like history, political science, and communications all cluster around $35,000-38,000, which may not justify the high tuition costs.