Denison University vs Wesleyan University

Nestled in the heart of Ohio, Denison University, and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, stand as two beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. While both institutions share a commitment to liberal arts education, they differ in several key aspects. Denison boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. Wesleyan, on the other hand, has a marginally higher graduation rate, indicating a strong focus on student success. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details, including popular majors, student body demographics, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Denison University logo

Denison University

Wesleyan University logo

Wesleyan University

Overview

Location Granville, Ohio Middletown, Connecticut
Campus setting Suburb: Small City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 87.0% 95.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 28.3% 19.4%
Application fees $55
SAT range 1230 - 1430 1300 - 1510
ACT range 28 - 32 31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score 28.0% 51.0%
Students submitting ACT score 23.0% 27.0%
Total number of applicants 9,513 13,067
Total number of admissions given out 2,689 2,540
Admitted students who chose to enroll 654 910
Yield rate 24.3% 35.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $73,900 $82,245
Average net price $38,833 $20,535
Tuition $57,500 $61,449
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,700

Meal plan: $6,560
$17,531
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

96.0%
Average amount $34,310
40.0%
Average amount $58,925
Students receiving federal student loan 41.0%
Average amount $5,126
18.0%
Average amount $3,834
Students taking out private loans 8.0%
Average amount $15,550
2.0%
Average amount $27,881

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,321
Men 47.8% Women 52.2%
3,385
Men 43.8% Women 56.2%
Graduate students N/A 196
Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 74.8% 90.3%
International students 16.8% 11.3%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Small City: Small
Dormitory capacity 2,479 3,063
First year students are required to live on campus? No Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Ohio Illinois Mississippi Pennsylvania New York New York California Connecticut New Jersey Pennsylvania

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Social Sciences
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Business
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Social Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 8:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 81.3% 91.0%
Dropout rate 4.1% 3.6%
Transferred out 14.4% 5.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,668
  • Year 2: $50,439
  • Year 3: $60,027
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: $45,885
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,270
  • Year 2: $32,569
  • Year 3: $45,530
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,133
  • Year 2: $36,134
  • Year 3: $45,058
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $44,127
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,288
  • Year 2: $30,771
  • Year 3: $39,071
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $35,840
Sociology and Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,362
  • Year 2: $23,649
  • Year 3: $35,544
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,013
  • Year 2: $24,421
  • Year 3: $33,940
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,424
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $33,345
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $53,775
  • Year 3: $53,847
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,232
  • Year 2: $36,334
  • Year 3: $45,541

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