Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Denison admits about 1 in 6 applicants (17%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 96% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (16% and 19%).
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Ohio applicants were admitted at 32%, applicants from other states at 29%, and international applicants at 7.6%.
Of those admitted, 30% from Ohio enrolled, against 28% from other states and 14% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
24% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 1,376 offered a place, 347 accepted, 31 admitted (8.9% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 25% admitted
394 of 1,589 early applicants
Apply by Nov 15; decisions by Dec 15
Second round: apply by Jan 15; decisions by Feb 15
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Denison reads a record
GPA, the high school record, and a college-prep program are required; class rank is considered. Scores are optional. 27% of first-years sent an SAT and 19% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Requires 4 years of English, 4 of math, 4 of science, and 4 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
- High school GPA
- Required
- High school record
- Required
- Class rank
- Considered
- College-prep program
- Required
- Recommendations
- Required
- Essay
- Required
- Legacy status
- Considered
- Work experience
- Considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- Considered
- English proficiency test
- Required
- Other tests
- Not considered
Transferring in
20% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 17% of first-year applicants
284 applied · 58 admitted · 23 enrolled
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date April 15, decisions by June 1
- Spring entry: priority date November 15, decisions by January 1
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 15 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: January 15. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- $0 housing deposit, due May 1, refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Foreign language | 4 |
| Social studies | 4 |
| Total | 20 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1350 on the SAT, 180 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
34% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
63% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
41% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
34% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
70% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
34% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 27% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 19% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Denison University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Denison University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Denison University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)