How to get into University of Dayton
How to get into UD: a Catholic Marianist university where the cost transparency and ED pathway both matter
65.5%
Acceptance rate
$49,140
In-state cost
What makes University of Dayton admissions different
The University of Dayton is a private Catholic Marianist university in Dayton, Ohio — roughly 7,700 undergrads, with a strong engineering program (UD Research Institute is one of the larger university-affiliated research enterprises in the country), an established business school, and a national reputation in Catholic higher education. UD admits around 65% of applicants. Two distinctive things about UD's admissions: the Flyer Promise (a transparent four-year tuition plan that locks in your tuition the year you enroll) and the early review of merit aid that comes with applying by the priority deadline.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App by UD's Early Action (typically November 15) or Regular deadlines. Early Action gives earlier decision plus first crack at merit aid.
- 2.
Pick the right program. Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Computer), the School of Business Administration, and the new Hanley Sustainability Institute all admit through the same application but with their own program-specific weight in the file.
- 3.
Write a UD supplement that engages with the Marianist identity (community, service, the Common Good) when the prompt invites it. Non-Catholic applicants are welcomed but should engage thoughtfully.
- 4.
Confirm the tuition lock. UD freezes your tuition rate for four years at the rate you enrolled at — the published net price for your year matters more than future projections.
- 5.
Apply for merit scholarships. UD offers a stacked merit pipeline (Marianist Leadership, Trustees, Presidential, Dean's) plus the Stander Symposium research stipends for honors students.
- 6.
Honors Program: apply by the Honors deadline for the four-year track with smaller seminars and dedicated advising.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing Early Action and the priority merit consideration that comes with it.
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Ignoring the four-year tuition lock when comparing costs. The locked rate makes UD cheaper than its sticker price suggests over four years.
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Treating Dayton (the city) as a downside without visiting. The campus and the surrounding neighborhood have a real student culture.
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Underestimating UD engineering. UDRI's research footprint gives undergrads access to research that smaller engineering schools can't match.
The specifics for University of Dayton
What makes this admissions process distinctive
UD freezes your tuition rate for four years at the rate you enrolled at, providing predictability in total four-year cost — distinctive among private universities.
University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI)
One of the larger university-affiliated applied research institutes in the country, with substantial undergraduate research opportunities especially in engineering and the sciences.
Marianist identity and Honors Program
UD's Marianist Catholic identity centers community and the common good; the University Honors Program offers smaller seminars, the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, and dedicated advising.
What graduates actually do
Dayton, a Catholic Marianist research university, produces strong cohorts in engineering, business, and education. The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) anchors deep ties to the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, and aerospace contractors; engineering graduates frequently move directly into defense and aerospace work. Cincinnati and Columbus also absorb many graduates into healthcare, P&G, and consulting roles.
Notable alumni
- Chuck Noll — NFL coaching (Pittsburgh Steelers — 4 Super Bowls)
- Erma Bombeck — Humor writing/journalism
- Jon Crane — Visual art
- Jim Leyland — MLB managing
Transfer pathway
Dayton accepts transfer applications on a rolling basis. The university has articulation agreements with Sinclair Community College (also in Dayton), enabling smooth transitions for associate-degree completers. A minimum 2.5 GPA is generally required, and Dayton accepts AP, IB, and CLEP credit broadly.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you have a B+ transcript and reasonable rigor, UD is a likely admit. The honest decision is fit (Catholic Marianist culture, mid-size, Midwest) and cost (merit aid plus the tuition lock is the affordability story). For engineering applicants in the Midwest with budget constraints, UD is genuinely worth comparing against peer publics on net cost.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.