Denison University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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Last Updated on February 3, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~17% (recent class)
- Middle 50% ACT: 29–33
- Middle 50% SAT: 1320–1470
- Average GPA (HS): Not published
Source: Denison institutional data (Fast Facts + Common Data Set, 2024–2025). Middle 50% = the range where half of enrolled students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Denison at a Glance
https://denison.edu/fast-facts
https://denison.edu/forms/common-data-set
https://denison.edu/campus/admission/apply-for-admission
https://denison.edu/campus/admission/faq-for-admission
https://denison.edu/campus/finances/types-of-scholarships-aid
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?202523-Denison-University
https://catalog.denison.edu/catalog/admission-costs-financial-aid/admission-costs-financial-aid.pdf
💰 Cost of Attendance at Denison University (2025–2026)
These are the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus. Denison is a private university and charges the same tuition to all students, regardless of residency.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $71,000 | $71,000 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus average) | $17,400 | $17,400 |
| Total (Direct / Billed) | $88,400 | $88,400 |
Why only these items? We include the costs you typically pay directly to Denison University — tuition, fees, housing, and meals. The university’s full cost of attendance also includes indirect expenses such as:
- Books & supplies (≈ $4,500 allowance)
- Transportation
- Personal and miscellaneous expenses
📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
The average net price at Denison is about $38,000 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal College Scorecard data. Actual costs vary widely depending on financial need and merit awards.
Denison uses the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA to award institutional financial aid. This extra form is required for most students seeking need-based aid and often has earlier deadlines than the FAFSA.
👉 Read our plain-English CSS Profile guide
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Denison University
Why is there no in-state vs out-of-state price?
Denison is a private university, so tuition does not depend on residency. All students are charged the same tuition and fees.
Does Denison participate in WUE, ACM, or regional tuition exchanges?
No. Denison does not participate in WUE, ACM, MSEP, or other regional tuition-reciprocity programs. Any reduction in cost comes from scholarships and financial aid.
Is the $38,000 net price guaranteed?
No. That figure is a federal average. Students with high financial need or strong merit awards may pay significantly less, while students without aid may pay closer to the full cost.
Do merit scholarships reduce the billed costs above?
Yes. Merit scholarships are applied directly to tuition and reduce the billed amount shown in the table. Denison automatically considers all applicants for merit scholarships at admission.
Why does Denison list a higher total cost than the table above?
The university’s official cost of attendance includes indirect allowances (books, transportation, personal expenses) used for financial-aid calculations, even though those costs are not billed by Denison.
Denison University Academic Catalog (2025–2026)
Denison University Tuition & Costs page
College Scorecard – Denison University
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Denison University
Denison automatically considers all admitted students for merit scholarships at the time of admission. These awards are renewable for up to four years and are applied directly to tuition.
Denison is test-optional. Submitting ACT or SAT scores is not required to be considered for merit scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Typically Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denison Merit Scholarships | $5,000 – Full Tuition / year |
Automatic consideration with admission; strong academic record Typical range*: ~3.7+ GPA; ACT 29–33 or SAT 1320–1470 (if submitted) |
No | Yes — up to 4 years | Highly competitive admitted students with rigorous coursework, strong grades, and overall academic strength | Admission deadline (ED I: Nov 15 • ED II/RD: Jan 15) |
| Austin E. Knowlton Foundation Scholarship | Up to $5,000 / year (in addition to other merit) |
Ohio residents planning to major in mathematics or the sciences Strong academic profile; combined merit capped at full tuition |
No (automatic if eligible) | Yes — renewable annually | Ohio students with strong STEM preparation admitted to Denison | Admission deadline |
*GPA and test-score ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published student profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.
FAQ — Automatic Merit at Denison University
Do I need to apply separately for Denison’s merit scholarships?
No. All applicants are automatically considered for Denison’s primary merit scholarships when they apply for admission.
Are test scores required to receive merit aid?
No. Denison is test-optional, and students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores are still eligible for merit scholarships.
Does Denison superscore ACT or SAT?
Yes, Denison does clearly publish a campus-wide superscore policy for general applicants. Test scores are considered if submitted.
Can merit scholarships stack with need-based aid?
Yes. Merit scholarships can be combined with Denison need-based grants, federal aid, and outside scholarships, up to the cost of attendance.
Can merit awards be reduced later?
Merit scholarships are typically renewable for four years as long as academic renewal requirements are met. Award amounts may change only if a student’s enrollment status changes.
https://denison.edu/campus/finances/types-of-scholarships-aid
https://denison.edu/campus/admission/apply-for-admission
https://denison.edu/fast-facts
https://denison.edu/campus/admission/faq-for-admission
🏆 Flagship & Competitive Scholarships at Denison University
These scholarships are highly competitive and awarded to a very small number of students each year. Unlike automatic merit awards, flagship scholarships typically recognize exceptional academic achievement or national distinction.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Typically Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paschal Carter Scholarship | High-value Denison National Merit–linked scholarship; external sources describe awards as substantial and, in some cases, approaching full tuition |
National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist who selects Denison as first-choice institution* Details are based on external and legacy descriptions rather than current Denison scholarship pages |
Not clearly stated (external sources suggest additional review) | Yes — up to 4 years (with renewal criteria) | A very small number of National Merit students who choose Denison and meet additional selection criteria | National Merit deadlines + Denison admission deadlines |
*National Merit eligibility is determined by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Award structure and stacking rules can change by year.
🎓 QuestBridge National College Match
Denison University is a QuestBridge partner college.
For students from low-income households who qualify, the QuestBridge Match can result in a
full four-year package covering tuition, housing, and meals.
QuestBridge is need-based and highly selective, not a merit scholarship. Students must meet national income guidelines and apply through the QuestBridge process.
👉 Learn how the QuestBridge Match works (plain-English guide)
QuestBridge partner colleges you can compare next:
If your student qualifies, these CRP pages show how other QuestBridge schools structure aid and costs.
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- Princeton University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
- Stanford University
- USC (University of Southern California)
Note: being a QuestBridge partner doesn’t make schools “similar” — it simply means they participate in the same national Match program. Always compare admissions fit, campus culture, and financial aid policies.
FAQ — Flagship & Competitive Scholarships at Denison
How competitive are Denison’s flagship scholarships?
Extremely competitive. Awards like the Paschal Carter Scholarship are limited to a very small number of students nationwide each year.
Does the Paschal Carter Scholarship stack with other merit awards?
Not usually. Full-tuition awards often replace other institutional merit scholarships rather than stack on top of them.
Is QuestBridge considered a merit scholarship?
No. QuestBridge is a need-based national program. While the outcome can look like a “full ride,” eligibility is based on household income and financial circumstances, not just academics.
Can a student be considered for both Denison merit and QuestBridge?
Yes. Students who apply through QuestBridge and are admitted outside the Match are still considered for Denison’s institutional aid and merit awards.
Denison University – Types of Scholarships & Aid
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)
QuestBridge – Partner Colleges Overview
🎖 Honors & Academic Enrichment at Denison University
Instead, Denison emphasizes individualized academic enrichment through faculty-mentored research, competitive fellowships, and funded experiential learning opportunities. These benefits are selective and meaningful — but they are not tied to a separate honors tuition award.
| Program / Opportunity | What It Provides | Who Typically Participates | Separate Application? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty-Mentored Research | Hands-on research with faculty, often with funding or academic credit | High-achieving students across all majors | Yes — varies by department |
| Competitive Fellowships & Grants | Support for nationally competitive awards, research, and postgraduate opportunities | Students with strong academic records and faculty recommendations | Yes — competitive process |
| Summer Scholars & Experiential Learning | Paid or funded summer research, internships, and academic projects | Motivated students seeking early professional or research experience | Yes — program-specific |
FAQ — Honors & Enrichment at Denison
Does Denison have an Honors College?
No. Denison does not run a centralized Honors College or honors-only scholarship program.
Advanced academic opportunities are offered through departments, research programs, and fellowships instead.
Do honors-type programs reduce tuition?
Generally no. These opportunities focus on academic enrichment and experience rather than tuition discounts.
Funding may be provided for research, summer work, or projects, but not as automatic tuition scholarships.
Who should pursue these opportunities?
Students who want close faculty mentorship, research experience, or preparation for graduate school
will benefit most. These programs reward initiative rather than class rank alone.
Are these opportunities competitive?
Yes. Most require separate applications, faculty recommendations, or departmental selection,
and availability varies by major and year.
What’s the biggest misconception?
That Denison lacks advanced academic options because it doesn’t have an Honors College.
In reality, enrichment exists — it’s just decentralized and selective.
https://denison.edu/campus/finances/types-of-scholarships-aid
https://denison.edu/campus/admission/questbridge
⭐ College Specialty
Denison University is a highly selective residential liberal arts college known for pairing small-class academics with strong postgraduate outcomes in graduate school placement, research participation, and competitive fellowships. Families often choose Denison for its tight-knit campus, close faculty mentorship, and the ability for undergraduates to access opportunities that are often limited to upper-level students at larger universities.
Liberal Arts with Strong Graduate-School Outcomes — Denison reports strong placement into medical, law, and PhD programs, as well as competitive fellowships. These outcomes are supported by intensive advising, early research access, and close faculty mentorship throughout the undergraduate experience.
Popular majors at Denison include biology, economics, communication, political science, and related liberal arts fields.
- Biological Sciences & Pre-Health: One of Denison’s most popular academic pathways, supported by faculty-led research, individualized advising, and strong placement into medical and health-profession programs.
- Economics: Known for rigorous quantitative and analytical training, with graduates pursuing careers in consulting, finance, public policy, and graduate economics programs.
- Political Science & International Studies: Emphasizes research, writing, and applied learning, preparing students for law school, government, policy work, and international careers.
- Communication & Media Studies: Combines theory with hands-on analysis and production, supporting careers in media, strategy, public relations, and graduate study.
🔗 Official Denison University Links
Use Denison’s official university resources below to verify admissions details, scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines, award terms, and financial aid rules.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://denison.edu/campus/admission -
Application Deadlines (ED I, ED II, Regular Decision):
https://denison.edu/campus/admission/apply-for-admission -
Scholarships & Institutional Aid:
https://denison.edu/campus/finances/types-of-scholarships-aid -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://denison.edu/campus/finances/tuition-costs -
Net Price Calculator:
https://denison.edu/forms/net-price-calculator -
Common Data Set (Admissions & Student Profile):
https://denison.edu/forms/common-data-set -
QuestBridge at Denison:
https://denison.edu/campus/admission/questbridge