Denison University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Denison University charges a net price of $40,007/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $160,028. Graduates earn a median $67,753 ten years after entry, $19,393/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 8.3 years — a 20-year net return of $227,832, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Denison University's 8.3-year payback ranks #705 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 45% of them, and #33 of 144 in Ohio.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $40,007/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $160,028 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $67,753 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $19,393/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $227,832 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Denison University's own numbers. Net price $40,007 × 4 years = $160,028 total. Median earnings $67,753 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $19,393 a year of premium. $160,028 ÷ $19,393 = 8.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $227,832. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Denison University students graduate with?
A median $26,000 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $67,753 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Denison University students graduate?
79% finish their degree. Spread the $160,028 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $202,567 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Denison University expensive compared with other Ohio colleges?
Its $40,007 net price runs $20,225 above the $19,783 median across the 144 Ohio colleges we profile, or $80,898 more across the full degree.