University News

Denison receives national recognition for innovation and career services

September 18, 2023

Building on a record-breaking year for enrollment and fundraising, Denison University continues to rise in national rankings and global reputation. Newly released reports from U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review reflect the college’s leadership in career services, internships, and innovation.

In annual rankings announced yesterday by U.S. News, Denison is ranked #6 most innovative, up from #9 last year. And last month, the Princeton Review recognized Denison as #3 for career services among all U.S. colleges and universities.

Overall, Denison is ranked No. 39 among national liberal arts colleges — up 16 places since 2016 — according to the leading producer of college rankings.

Since 2018, applications from prospective students have nearly doubled. During the past admission cycle, Denison received more than 14,500 applications for the Class of 2027, resulting in a record-breaking low 17% admission rate. This application growth represents a 19% increase in applications and a 43% increase in early decision applications from the year prior.

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Over the past decade, by every measure, Denison has emerged as a leader in national liberal arts colleges.

“It’s great to be recognized as an innovative college,” said President Adam Weinberg. “It’s even better to know that the innovation is focused on our students and their success. Denison students are thriving because they are living on a campus filled with the kinds of people, relationships, and experiences that define a life-shaping liberal arts education and the career support that students need to explore, prepare, and launch into careers.”

Denison also just ended a record-breaking year for fundraising, as donors to the college gave more than $53 million and created 50 new funds to support financial aid. Denison is one of only 75 institutions in the U.S. (out of some 4,000) that meets the full demonstrated need for each admitted student and awards more than $70 million in scholarships and aid annually.

The college’s commitment to affordability — and our alumni enthusiasm for the subject — is highlighted by the recent announcement of a $21 million endowment to support financial aid for high-achieving high school students in Columbus, Ohio.

“Every student admitted to Denison is a Denisonian - and we are committed to supporting each student to help them graduate with as little debt as possible,” said Weinberg. “We understand that regardless of a student’s financial background, a college education must be transformative and prepare students for their life after graduation. We are focused on providing our students with opportunities and experiences to meet that end.”

Denison has created a leading model for career launch, the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, which offers personalized career coaching, a career readiness boot camp called the Journey Program that helps students find their professional passions, seven career communities that provide industry-specific knowledge and resources, professional career certificates offered through Denison Edge, and an incredible alumni network.

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