Colleges in Dayton, Ohio
8 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 8 colleges and universities in Dayton, Ohio (4 Private for-profit, 2 Private nonprofit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 8 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $15,415 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 73.8%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 81% of applicants.
The median net price in Dayton runs about $2,574 lower than the Ohio statewide median of $17,989.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Dayton, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$15,415
After aid
Median grad rate
73.8%
6-year
Median admission rate
81%
Median enrollment
376
Undergrad
All colleges in Dayton
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH | OH | Public, 4-year | $5,992 | 41.1% | Not available | 13,308 | Complete | |
| University of Dayton Dayton, OH | OH | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $29,533 | 80.2% | 65% | 7,682 | Complete | |
| Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, OH | OH | Public, 4-year | $15,415 | 41.7% | 96% | 6,762 | Complete | |
| Dayton School of Medical Massage Dayton, OH | OH | Private for-profit, <2-year | $30,819 | 73.4% | Not available | 376 | Partial | |
| Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton Dayton, OH | OH | Private for-profit, 2-year | $12,258 | 73.8% | Not available | 210 | Partial | |
| Ohio Medical Career College Dayton, OH | OH | Private for-profit, 2-year | $16,456 | 79.1% | Not available | 129 | Partial | |
| Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-South Dayton Dayton, OH | OH | Private for-profit, 2-year | $11,397 | 77.6% | Not available | 69 | Partial | |
| United Theological Seminary Dayton, OH | OH | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private for-profit (4)
Private for-profit colleges in Dayton operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Dayton School of Medical MassageNet price: $30,819Grad: 73.4%
- Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North DaytonNet price: $12,258Grad: 73.8%
- Ohio Medical Career CollegeNet price: $16,456Grad: 79.1%
- Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-South DaytonNet price: $11,397Grad: 77.6%
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Dayton are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- University of DaytonNet price: $29,533Grad: 80.2%
- United Theological SeminaryNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (2)
Public colleges in Dayton are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Sinclair Community CollegeNet price: $5,992Grad: 41.1%
- Wright State University-Main CampusNet price: $15,415Grad: 41.7%
Top programs in Dayton
Most-completed programs across Dayton colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business34.1% of degrees
- Health professions16.3% of degrees
- Engineering7.2% of degrees
- Computer science5.2% of degrees
- Education4.6% of degrees
- Psychology3.8% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement3.3% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts3.1% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Dayton
Q.How many colleges are in Dayton, Ohio?
There are 8 colleges and universities in Dayton, Ohio that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private for-profit, 2 Private nonprofit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Dayton?
By undergraduate enrollment, Sinclair Community College is the largest institution in Dayton with roughly 13,308 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Dayton?
Based on average net price after aid, Sinclair Community College is the most affordable institution in Dayton at $5,992 per year.
Q.Which Dayton college has the highest graduation rate?
University of Dayton reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Dayton institutions at 80.2%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Dayton?
The median net price across all 8 colleges in Dayton is $15,415 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Dayton?
Across Dayton colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Health professions, Engineering.
Q.Are there community colleges in Dayton?
Yes — Dayton includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Ohio
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Dayton that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.