College Spotlight: Denison University

With stately red-brick buildings tucked amongst the rolling hilltops of Granville, Ohio, the picturesque campus of Denison University looks like it was plucked from a quaint New England town. Located 30 miles outside of bustling Columbus, the school sits on a hill bordering Granville, a small town settled by New England transplants that boasts more than 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to its recognized commitment to growing and preserving campus trees, the college plays host to a 350-acre biological reserve as well as an arboretum.


With a few exceptions, students are required to live on campus all four years; freshman only live with other first-years, but the options for student housing are plentiful--including apartments for upperclassman. Dining on campus is ranked relatively average, but students have walkable access to the shops and restaurants of Granville. Approximately 30% of students participate in campus Greek life, and more than three quarters of students play sports at some level. Athletes compete in the NCAA Division III North Coast Atlantic Conference, and all students have more than 150 campus clubs and organizations to choose from.


The university offers its 2,200 undergrads a top-notch liberal arts education, which also happens to be consistently ranked as one of Kiplinger's "Best Values in Private Colleges." Top majors include economics, biology and communications, but students are allowed to design their own curriculum. Some new majors the school offers include Global Commerce,  Data Analytics and Financial Economics. No matter their course of study, all students are required to take two first-year seminars as well as two courses each from the fine arts, social sciences, sciences (lab), humanities and foreign language programs. An interdisciplinary course from a program such as Caribbean, Environmental or Women's studies (to name a few) rounds out the liberal arts requirements. Both the internship program and study-abroad programs are robust, and the school maintains strong ties with alums in their career center. With a more than 90% retention rate, Denison students tend to be very happy with their school selection--for good cause!


Fast Facts:


  • 2,280 students (Test optional, but average SAT is 1270; average ACT is 29)
  • Holistic review of applicants weights rigor of high school coursework, grades, personal essay, recommendations and extracurricular accomplishments (less is more [done well] at Denison!); students are highly encouraged to interview
  • 43% male, 58% female
  • Tuition, Fees and Room & Board: $60,930 (53% of students receive need-based aid; school also offers merit money)
  • School ranks among top 30 liberal arts colleges with the least amount of student debt upon graduation
  • Compassionate treatment of learning differences sets school apart
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1


Fun Facts:


  • Student body is diverse and eclectic in interests; leadership is key focus
  • Bandersnatch coffee shop was founded by student artists and musicians; the popular on campus snack/coffee bar has Alice In Wonderland-themed decor and a running schedule of live music and poetry readings
  • Campus was designed by the Frederick Law Olmsted architecture firm, which designed Central Park, the US Capitol and more
  • Wi-Fi available in every building on campus
  • The Doobie, as the 24-hour campus radio station is nicknamed, has been ranked as one of the best in the nation
  • Notable alum: Disney CEO Michael Eisner, Actors Jennifer Garner, Steve Carell and Hal Holbrook, Former US Senator Richard Lugar, Princeton President William Bowen and Travelocity & Kayak Founder Terry Jones


If you would like to learn more about Denison, give us a call!

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