University of Dayton Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- 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
First-gen or first-time doing this? You’re in the right place. This guide breaks down how the University of Dayton prices things, what automatic merit looks like, and where the “extra” money hides—so you can quickly see what’s realistic for your family. For Ohio-specific grants and programs, hop over to our state aid guide, and keep this page handy alongside our College Scholarships Hub as you compare options.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Dayton
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credits) | $50,610 | $50,610 |
| Housing | $10,820 | $10,820 |
| Meals | $6,790 | $6,790 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Personal & Travel | $3,025 | $3,025 |
| Other (Loan Fees/Professional) | $120 | $120 |
| Total (before aid) | $72,365 | $72,365 |
Reciprocity or Regional Programs: Not applicable — as a private university, Dayton charges the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Instead, UD offers a unique “Transparent Tuition” approach: one flat price for 12–18 credit hours, locked in for all four years, plus a Textbook Scholarship worth up to $1,000 per year if you visit campus and file FAFSA by February 1. Example: That scholarship lowers the total cost from $72,365 to about $71,365.
Cost FAQs
Who qualifies for the textbook scholarship? Any admitted student who completes a campus visit and files the FAFSA by February 1.
How much can it save? Up to $1,000 per year, reducing the family bill from the published sticker price.
Do I have to apply separately? No — the scholarship is automatic once you meet the visit + FAFSA deadline.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
The University of Dayton automatically considers every admitted student for merit aid. Awards are based on your application—grades, the classes you took, leadership, and test scores if you send them. No extra forms are needed for these base scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Father Chaminade Award | $17,000–$19,000/yr | Admitted freshmen, test-optional eligible | No | Yes (maintain GPA) | Often 3.3–3.5 GPA; ACT 24–26 / SAT 1160–1240* |
| Dean’s Merit Scholarship | $21,000–$23,000/yr | Admitted freshmen, holistic review | No | Yes | Often 3.5–3.7 GPA; ACT 26–28 / SAT 1240–1310* |
| President’s Merit Scholarship | $26,000–$29,000/yr | Admitted freshmen, strong academics | No | Yes | Often 3.6–3.8 GPA; ACT 27–29 / SAT 1280–1340* |
| Trustees’ Merit Scholarship | $31,000–$33,000/yr | Admitted freshmen, top academics | No | Yes | Often 3.8+ GPA or top 10%; ACT 29+ / SAT 1340+* |
*Estimates: UD does not publish exact GPA/test cutoffs. Ranges are inferred from Honors entry benchmarks and recent admitted student profiles.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Do I need to submit test scores? No — UD is test-optional. Strong grades and course rigor are enough for consideration, but high scores can help push awards higher.
Is there a separate application? No. You’re automatically considered for these scholarships when you apply to UD.
Can these awards stack with other aid? Yes, they can stack with some need-based aid and outside scholarships, but institutional rules may reduce need-based grants if you bring in a lot of outside funding.
Are these renewable? Yes — for four years as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress (typically full-time enrollment and GPA requirements set by UD).
Superscore Clarity
Does UD superscore? Yes. The University of Dayton takes the highest section scores from multiple test dates and combines them into a new “superscore.”
Which tests does this apply to? Both the ACT and the SAT are superscored. Your student’s best Math, Reading, English, and Science (for ACT) or EBRW and Math (for SAT) sections are used, even if earned on different test dates.
Does it affect scholarships? Yes. Superscores are valid for both admission and automatic merit scholarships. If a superscore bumps a student into a higher award tier, UD will honor the higher award.
What if we apply test-optional? That’s fine too. Strong grades and course rigor are enough for merit consideration, but superscored test results can only help.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
For the 2025–2026 cycle, the University of Dayton does not list any separate university-level competitive scholarships beyond its automatic merit awards. Other opportunities, such as service-based or affiliation awards, are included in the Hidden Gems section.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None listed | — | No university-level competitive scholarships are published for 2025–2026 | — | — | N/A |
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Are there university-wide competitive scholarships at Dayton? No. For 2025–2026, only automatic merit scholarships are listed.
Where can students look for additional opportunities? Program-based, identity-based, and departmental awards are described in the Hidden Gems section.
Do these require separate applications? The university does not list competitive scholarships with separate applications at this time.
⭐ College Specialty
Dayton isn’t just another private Catholic university—it’s a nationally recognized research school with strong engineering and innovation programs. Families looking at careers in aerospace, materials, or business leadership will find a well-connected campus that invests heavily in applied research and partnerships.
Standout Program: Aerospace Engineering — ranked among the Top 75 nationally by U.S. News (2024). UD’s close partnership with GE Aerospace through the EPISCenter gives students unique research and co-op opportunities right in Dayton.
- Materials Engineering & Research — Dayton is home to the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), a national leader in materials and sustainment research, securing more than $260M annually in sponsored research.
- Entrepreneurship — Consistently ranked in the Top 50 undergraduate entrepreneurship programs by The Princeton Review.
- School of Business Administration — Recognized statewide for producing industry-ready graduates in accounting and finance; AACSB-accredited.
- Human Rights Studies — One of the first undergraduate programs of its kind in the U.S., with strong national recognition in social justice education.
🎖️ Honors College
The University Honors Program (UHP) at Dayton gives high-achieving students the chance to learn in smaller classes, dive into research early, and take advantage of unique global and service opportunities. Admission is selective and based on both academics and a holistic review of your application.
What a Typical Dayton Honors Student Looks Like: High school GPA around 3.8+ or top 10% of their class, with an ACT of 29+ or SAT of 1340+ if scores are submitted. Rigor in AP/IB/Honors coursework, plus leadership and service, are also key signals.
Perks that Matter:
- Priority registration and access to Honors-only seminars
- Faculty mentoring and support for undergraduate research & thesis work
- Funding for global learning (Oxford program, Hull Fellowships)
- Dedicated housing and learning communities
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berry Summer Thesis Institute | $2,000 stipend + summer housing + up to $1,500 research funding | Honors sophomores with a faculty-mentored thesis plan | Yes – application due early February | No (summer fellowship) | Students committed to research and producing an Honors thesis |
| Hull International Fellowships | Reimbursement support (varies) | Honors students pursuing global/service/leadership projects | Yes – deadlines each Oct 15 & Feb 7 | No (project-based funding) | Honors students engaging in global or service-focused learning |
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic? Students meeting both GPA and test benchmarks (3.8 GPA or top 10% and ACT 29/SAT 1340) are automatically designated as Honors. Others are considered holistically.
Does Honors add time to your degree? No. The program is designed to integrate with your four-year plan.
Are there extra scholarships? Yes — research and fellowship funding like the Berry Summer Thesis Institute and Hull Fellowships are available exclusively for Honors students.
When should I apply? You are automatically considered with your UD application; competitive Honors awards and fellowships have their own early spring deadlines.
🔗 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Navigating costs and scholarships at the University of Dayton can feel overwhelming, but the key takeaways are simple: tuition is one flat rate whether you’re in or out of state, automatic merit covers a big portion for most students, and hidden gems like service, legacy, ROTC, and music scholarships can add meaningful support. Honors students have extra opportunities for research and global experiences. Taken together, Dayton offers multiple pathways to make a private education more affordable.
✅ Last updated: August 27, 2025