University of Dayton

UD offers 80+ undergraduate programs and 50 graduate options, with standouts in entrepreneurship (ranked #19 nationally) and engineering. Popular majors include Psychology (5% of degrees), Early Childhood Education (3%), Biology (3%), and Accounting (3%). The College of Arts and Sciences anchors a curriculum designed to 'lead for the common good,' blending professional preparation with liberal arts. Students praise the 'professional and challenging' courses, with faculty noted for being 'kind and encouraging.'

Life at UD revolves around its porch-clad student neighborhood—a one-of-a-kind setup where Greek life is minimal ('non-existent,' per Reddit) but community thrives. With 240+ student orgs, Division I basketball fandom, and a 'charming small-town atmosphere,' the campus balances tradition (like arts events at the downtown Dayton arts district) with practicality (solid dorm and food reviews). Critics note the lack of football culture, but fans argue the tight-knit vibe more than compensates.

UD delivers strong ROI: 97% of recent grads secured jobs or grad school spots within a year, with an average starting salary of $61,798 (up from $59,766 in 2024). The 82% six-year graduation rate outpaces national averages, and 66% finish in four years. Alumni median earnings one year post-graduation hit $36,427, though this figure likely underrepresents later-career bumps (especially for engineering and biz grads). The Flyer First Destination Survey underscores UD’s career-prep focus.

UD’s fixed net tuition model locks in costs for all four years, offering predictability rare in private education. The sticker price runs high ($50,610 tuition), but 52.91% of students receive financial aid, slashing the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $31,551 with aid packages averaging $40,802. Scholarships (like the textbook scholarship) and grants ease the load, and the university’s net price calculator helps families plan. For context, the median federal loan debt per borrower is $27,000.

Dayton’s porch-clad neighborhood isn’t just aesthetic—it fosters a communal ethos where students bond over basketball (a Division I obsession) and service projects. Its #19-ranked entrepreneurship program and engineering strengths defy its mid-size profile, while the 97% post-grad success rate validates its blend of academics and real-world prep. The fixed tuition model and robust aid (52% of students) make it a pragmatic choice among Catholic universities. For students seeking a tight-knit campus with big outcomes, UD delivers.