The University of Dayton is a Catholic, Marianist research university founded in 1850 and based in Dayton, Ohio. It enrolls more than 9,700 undergraduate, graduate, and law students, and generates over $278 million in annual sponsored research. It ranks first among Catholic universities for engineering R&D and first in the nation for materials research and development.
The university's technical work spans engineering, materials science, sustainability, and applied research conducted in partnership with industry. Collaborations with companies such as GE Aviation and Copeland give students direct exposure to real-world engineering and industrial challenges through structured experiential learning programmes. These partnerships reflect an institutional emphasis on connecting academic research to professional practice.
Research and outcomes figures underline the institution's scale and reach. The class of 2024 recorded a 97% rate of employment, graduate study, or service programme participation within six months of graduation. The university holds a Gold STARS sustainability rating, maintains a 90% student retention rate, and counts more than 132,000 alumni worldwide. Ninety-three percent of students receive some form of financial assistance, and the university publishes a four-year tuition guarantee for undergraduates.