Denison University: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances

Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI

Quick answer: Denison University has a 26% acceptance rate, which makes it a selective school. Admitted students typically score around 1400 on the SAT or 31 on the ACT. Use the free calculator below to estimate your personal odds at Denison University.
Acceptance rate26%
SAT (75th percentile)1400
ACT (75th percentile)31
LocationOH
School typePrivate

Denison University is a private liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio. It admits about 26% of applicants, which is competitive for a small liberal arts school. Denison has built a strong reputation in the Midwest and beyond, and its applicant pool reflects that.

Calculate your chances at Denison University free →

How hard is it to get into Denison University?

With a 26% acceptance rate, Denison admits roughly one in four applicants. That might not sound as tight as some well-known schools, but the pool at Denison is self-selecting. Students who apply to small liberal arts colleges tend to be academically motivated and engaged, which raises the bar even at a higher acceptance rate.

A straightforward application without much depth or personality is unlikely to get through. Denison reads its applications carefully, and you should approach it that way.

Test scores that make you competitive

The SAT 75th percentile for admitted Denison students is 1400, and the ACT 75th percentile is 31. Students scoring around those marks or above are in good shape on the testing front. Denison has been test-optional in recent years, which means if your scores are not strong relative to the rest of your application, you may be better off not submitting them.

What Denison looks for

Denison takes a holistic approach and pays attention to the kind of student you are, not just the grades you earned. Course rigor matters. Taking the most challenging classes available to you in high school shows you are prepared for Denison's academic expectations.

Outside the classroom, Denison values genuine involvement. Students who have taken on real leadership or invested meaningfully in a few things tend to stand out. Your essays are particularly important at a small school like this. Admissions readers want to understand your perspective and your reasons for wanting to be there specifically, not just at any small liberal arts college.

Estimate your chances at Denison University

CollegeCalcAI at collegecalcai.com gives you a free, instant estimate of your chances at Denison based on your GPA, test scores, and activities. It is a practical way to see where you stand before you put time into the application.

Frequently asked questions

What is Denison University's acceptance rate?

Denison accepts about 26% of applicants.

What SAT or ACT score do I need for Denison University?

The SAT 75th percentile for admitted students is 1400, and the ACT 75th percentile is 31. Scoring in or above those ranges makes you competitive on tests.

Is Denison hard to get into?

It is selective. A 26% acceptance rate and a pool of focused, academically serious applicants mean you need a strong, thoughtful application to be admitted.

See your real odds at Denison University

Use the free calculator →

Compare similar schools

See all 100 hardest colleges to get into →

Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.