University of Dayton — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Dayton charges a net price of $29,533/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $118,132. Graduates earn a median $75,537 ten years after entry, $27,177/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.3 years — a 20-year net return of $425,408, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Dayton's 4.3-year payback ranks #338 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 74% of them, and #19 of 144 in Ohio.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $29,533/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $118,132 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $75,537 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $27,177/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,250 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $425,408 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Dayton's own numbers. Net price $29,533 × 4 years = $118,132 total. Median earnings $75,537 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $27,177 a year of premium. $118,132 ÷ $27,177 = 4.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $425,408. 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 University of Dayton students graduate with?
A median $23,250 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $75,537 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Dayton students graduate?
80% finish their degree. Spread the $118,132 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $147,665 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Dayton expensive compared with other Ohio colleges?
Its $29,533 net price runs $9,751 above the $19,783 median across the 144 Ohio colleges we profile, or $39,002 more across the full degree.