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Denison University

Granville, OH

private nonprofitbachelors

Quick Facts

1831
Founded
Private liberal arts college
Type
2,398
Total Students
2,400
Undergrad
$1.1B
Endowment
(2025)
$64K
Tuition (In-State)
$64K
Tuition (Out-State)
$38K
Avg Net Price
17%
Acceptance Rate
80%
Graduation Rate
6-year
89%
Retention Rate
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Adam S. Weinberg

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Denison University

Denison University: A historic liberal arts college empowering future leaders since 1831.

Denison University, a distinguished private liberal arts college nestled in Granville, Ohio, has been a beacon of higher education since its founding in 1831. As one of the earliest colleges established in the historic Northwest Territory, Denison offers a vibrant and comprehensive undergraduate experience. Students are invited to explore a wide array of over 65 academic programs within a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment, preparing them to make a meaningful impact on the world.

From its origins as the Granville Literary and Theological Institution, Denison has a rich and storied past. It evolved through various names, eventually honoring benefactor William S. Denison, and proudly played a role in the anti-slavery movement, with Bancroft House serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The university further demonstrated its progressive spirit by fully incorporating Shepardson College for Women in 1927, embracing coeducation and significantly shaping its modern identity.

Today, Denison continues its legacy of excellence, guided by an expansive campus plan crafted by the renowned Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons architectural firm. With approximately 2,300-2,400 undergraduates, the college fosters a close-knit community where learning extends beyond the classroom. Students can engage in NCAA Division III athletics, participate in robust academic affiliations like the Five Colleges of Ohio and the Great Lakes Colleges Association, and thrive in a non-sectarian institution committed to holistic development. Denison is truly a place where history meets innovation, preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.

Key Highlights

  • Established in 1831, making it one of the earliest colleges in the former Northwest Territory.
  • Offers a diverse curriculum with 65 distinct academic programs.
  • Boasts a substantial endowment of $1.1 billion.
  • Pioneered coeducation by fully incorporating Shepardson College for Women in 1927.
  • Features a campus designed and guided by the influential Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons architectural firm.
  • A proud member of the prestigious Five Colleges of Ohio and the Great Lakes Colleges Association.
  • Home to 26 NCAA Division III varsity athletic teams, known as the Big Red.

Timeline

1831
Founded as the Granville Literary and Theological Institution
1845
Renamed Granville College
1853
Renamed Denison University in honor of William S. Denison
1886
Young Ladies' Institute renamed Shepardson College for Women
1916
Hired Frederick Law Olmsted & Sons for campus architectural planning
1927
Shepardson College for Women fully incorporated into Denison University
1960
Became a non-sectarian institution (during the 1960s)
2005
Reached its present size of approximately 2,250 students
🏛️
195 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Kim Coplin
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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