Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Dayton #653 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,504 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Dayton in the 38.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Dayton #254 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- University of Dayton's composite ranking is anchored by strong earnings beyond expectations and a top quartile return on investment. Graduates consistently outperform similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting the university's ability to deliver durable financial outcomes. These results position University of Dayton as a leader among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Dayton #653 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private research university (Carnegie R2) in Dayton, OH, University of Dayton enrolls roughly 7,682 undergraduates. Retention is 89.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 80.2%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Dayton performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Dayton #254 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $78,870. They earn about $4,504 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Dayton in the 38.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This strength reflects the institution's concentration in Business and related high-return fields, where employers actively recruit and early-career earnings remain competitive. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Dayton sits in the 40.3 percentile for access and the 15.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 15.8% Pell-eligible students and 10.2% first-generation undergraduates — modest shares that reflect University of Dayton's positioning as a private research university. Mobility outcomes are solid, with University of Dayton sitting in the 56.3 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, indicating that graduates move into stable, well-paying careers at rates comparable to or better than many peer institutions.
The University of Louisville's published cost of attendance is $65,881, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $21,736, while middle-income families pay around $24,155, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,731. Azimuth ranks University of Dayton #1200 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public university in Kentucky, University of Dayton draws on a mix of federal, state, and institutional aid programs to help close the gap between sticker price and what students pay. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in Kentucky's state grant programs alongside federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans. The net price illusion is worth keeping in mind: the published cost of attendance and the net price a given family pays can differ substantially depending on household income and the aid package offered. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $43,810; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $78,870, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Louisville is a strong fit for students drawn to health, applied sciences, and professional fields who want a public research university experience in Louisville, OH, with a program portfolio built around one of the region's most prominent health and medical ecosystems. Graduates earn in the 86.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and University of Dayton sits in the 38.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — graduates earn about $4,504 less than similar students at comparable institutions, a signal that the institution's program mix translates into real post-graduation value relative to comparable institutions. The access profile is broad. 15.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 10.2% are first-generation students, with a Pell completion rate of 71.6% — figures that reflect an institution genuinely serving students from a wide range of economic backgrounds. Median student debt at graduation is $23,250, and the admit rate of 65.5% means most qualified applicants can realistically plan on attending. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business and related applied fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those seeking deep strength in social sciences or humanities may find the portfolio narrower than at broader flagship institutions.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Dayton hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Computer Engineering
22 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
46 graduates
Computer Science
37 graduates
Chemical Engineering
46 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
186 graduates
University of Dayton's program mix is anchored in business and engineering fields, reflecting the institution's applied-professional identity. Mechanical Engineering is the largest program with 214 graduates annually, followed by Finance, Digital Marketing, Communication and Media Studies, and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
The highest-aggregate-return major is Mechanical Engineering, which combines substantial enrollment with solid median earnings of $88,339 four years after enrollment. Among the institution's highest-earning programs, Finance graduates earn median earnings of $95,925, while Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering graduates earn $95,595 and Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $88,339 four years after enrollment.
These earnings reflect strong early-career outcomes in fields where employers actively recruit and compensation grows steadily through the career arc. The program portfolio emphasizes applied business, engineering, and professional fields where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect national labor-market outcomes.
Business represents the dominant concentration, positioning University of Dayton as a career-focused institution aligned with employer demand in the Midwest and beyond. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with labor-market trends and hiring patterns.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ohio Northern University Higher acceptance rate (11.7 percentage points higher) and located 73 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 73% | $80,928 | Compare |
Kettering College Higher acceptance rate (21.2 percentage points higher) and located 3 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 83% | $67,492 | Compare |
Xavier University Higher acceptance rate (26.1 percentage points higher) and located 44 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OH | 88% | $64,873 | Compare |
Saint Johns University Higher acceptance rate (28.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MN | 90% | $76,786 | Compare |
Butler University Higher acceptance rate (24.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | IN | 86% | $77,235 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Scranton Similar quality tier (#16902 ranked) | PA | 81% | $74,652 | #16902 | Compare |
Seattle University Similar quality tier (#16897 ranked) | WA | 77% | $75,272 | #16897 | Compare |
Barnard College Similar quality tier (#16363 ranked) | NY | 9% | $80,516 | #16363 | Compare |
Creighton University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#16360 ranked) | NE | 80% | $73,911 | #16360 | Compare |
Abilene Christian University Similar quality tier (#15848 ranked) | TX | 100% | $55,736 | #15848 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Louisville's published cost of attendance is $65,881, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $21,736, while middle-income families pay around $24,155, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,731.
Azimuth ranks University of Dayton #1200 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
As a public university in Kentucky, University of Dayton draws on a mix of federal, state, and institutional aid programs to help close the gap between sticker price and what students pay. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in Kentucky's state grant programs alongside federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans.
The [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) is worth keeping in mind: the published cost of attendance and the net price a given family pays can differ substantially depending on household income and the aid package offered. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $43,810; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $78,870, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of the University of Dayton earn a median of $78,870 four years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 86.1st percentile for median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,504 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the University of Dayton in the 38.5th percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks the University of Dayton #254 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 82.9th percentile overall.
The earnings pattern reflects the University of Dayton's concentration in Business fields, which represent 29% of graduates. Mechanical Engineering is the largest program, with 214 graduates earning a median of $88,339 — in line with the national benchmark for the field. The Finance and Financial Management Services program graduates 186 students with median earnings of $95,925, while Marketing delivers median earnings of $80,677 for its 168 graduates.
