Denison University Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

Granville, OH · Private · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 17% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 660–730 reading and writing, 660–760 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 30–33 composite
  • Average net price: $42,177 a year (2022–23)
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Where you standEnter your GPA

Add a test score to compare it with what Denison University reported: an acceptance rate of 17% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 30–33.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Denison University reviews each application.

Denison University GPA requirements

Denison University requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Denison University hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

Denison University acceptance rate

Denison University admitted 2,611 of 15,012 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 17%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Denison University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Granville, Ohio, with 2,394 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered Denison University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing660700730
SAT Math660710760
ACT Composite303133
ACT English293335
ACT Math262831
29% submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores, as Denison University reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1410 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What Denison University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Required
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Considered if submitted
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with Denison University's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

Denison University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $42,177 a year at Denison University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 3.5 GPA get you into Denison University?

GPA alone can't tell you here. Denison University admitted 17% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

What are Denison University's SAT and ACT score ranges?

The middle 50% of Denison University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 660–730 in reading and writing and 660–760 in math; ACT composite 30–33, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

How much does GPA matter at Denison University?

A lot: Denison University requires high school GPA, high school record, college preparatory program, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school class rank, test scores, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What GPA do you need to get into Denison University?

Denison University requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

What is Denison University's acceptance rate?

Denison University's acceptance rate was 17% for fall 2024: it admitted 2,611 of 15,012 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.

Does Denison University require the SAT or ACT?

No. Denison University is test optional: it considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 29% sent SAT scores and 22% sent ACT scores.

How hard is it to get into Denison University?

Highly selective: fewer than 1 in 4 applicants got in. Denison University admitted 17% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What is the average net price at Denison University?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $42,177 a year at Denison University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does it matter at Denison University if a parent went there?

Yes. Denison University considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does Denison University accept AP credit?

Yes. Denison University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Before you apply, check Denison University's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: Denison UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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