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Tiffin University

Tiffin, OH | Private Nonprofit | University

Tiffin University is a private nonprofit university in Tiffin, OH ranked #1739 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of C, enrolling about 2,051 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 80.0%. Students most often pursue Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other and Computer and Information Sciences.

Academically, students benefit from a 22:1 student-faculty ratio, 71.6% first-year retention, and 39.9% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.

Families typically invest $26,500, about $9,502 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -59.9%, roughly 145.2 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $42,475. That's about $1,213 below national results. It's a compelling fit for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.

C
Ranking
#1739 of 1,942
How We Rank Schools
At a Glance
Ranking
#1739 of 1,942 (Top 89.5%)
Tuition
$34,790
Net Price
$26,500
4-Year Tuition
$139,160
Acceptance Rate
80.0%
Transfer Rate
32.5%
Student Population
2,051
Student-Faculty
22:1
Graduation Rate
39.9%
Retention Rate
71.6%
6-Yr Earnings
$42,475
ROI
-59.9%

Who is Tiffin University Best For?

A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.

Learners who value a tight-knit campus

EDsmart Scores Summary

Overall Ranking
#1739 of 1,942
Top 89.5% of all institutions
EDsmart Score
10.5 / 100 (national index)
Curved score (top institution = 100.0)
Value Rating
0.53 / 5
Based on ROI and outcomes
Completion
C+
#1,438 of 1,942
Affordability
C+
#1,465 of 1,942
Support
C
#1,721 of 1,942
Career Outcomes
B-
#1,305 of 1,942

Tiffin University graduates 39.9% of students within six years and keeps 71.6% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C+ compared with similar schools.

How we calculate this →

Cost & Financial Aid

Quick Answers

Can you afford it?
Depends on income
$24,278-$29,977 annual net price based on family income.
Will you graduate?
Somewhat likely
39.9% finish within six years. 31.7% complete in four years.
Will you get a job?
Highly likely
78.7% of alumni are employed within three years of leaving. Median earnings six years after entry are $42,475. Pay varies by major.
Get Your Personalized Cost Estimate

The costs shown are averages. Use Tiffin University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.

Calculate Your Net Price →

Total Degree Cost Summary

4-Year Total Cost (Pay with Cash)
$192,016
$48,004 × 4 years
Average Total Cost (Pay with Financial Aid)
$119,250
$26,500 × 4.5 years average
Time to Degree
Average: 4.5 years | 4-Year Rate: 31.7% | 6-Year Rate: 39.9%
Most students finish in about four to five years. Four-year completion is 31.7% and six-year completion is 39.9%.

Annual Cost Comparison

Pay with Cash
$48,004
Total annual cost including tuition, books and living expenses; excluding any financial aid, grants or scholarships.
Pay with Financial Aid
$26,500
Average annual cost including tuition, books and living expenses after financial aid, grants or scholarships.

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.

View cost of attendance line items
Costs to Consider Price
Tuition and Fees $34,790
Books and Supplies $3,000
On-Campus Room and Board $12,298
On-Campus Other Expenses $1,000
Total On-Campus Cost $48,004

Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.

Students Receiving Aid

Pell Grant
31.5%
Federal Loan
0.0%

Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.

EDsmart Insight: About 31.5% of Tiffin University students receive Pell Grants — slightly below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.

$0 - $30,000
$24,278
Average annual cost for families earning $0-$30K
$30,001 - $48,000
$22,255
Average annual cost for families earning $30K-$48K
$48,001 - $75,000
$24,974
Average annual cost for families earning $48K-$75K
$75,001 - $110,000
$29,205
Average annual cost for families earning $75K-$110K
$110,001+
$29,977
Average annual cost for families earning $110K+

Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $24,278 to $29,977 depending on family income. Use Tiffin University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

4-Year Total Cost Estimates:
$0-$30K families
~$109,251
$30K-$48K families
~$100,148
$48K-$75K families
~$112,383
$75K-$110K families
~$131,422
AFFORDABILITY ALERT

If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $29,205/year

If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $29,977/year

See all income brackets →

ROI & Career Outcomes

Return on Investment
-59.9%
Based on 6-year median earnings vs. total degree cost
  • 6-Year Median Earnings $42,475
  • 10-Year Median Earnings $42,475
  • Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
  • Average Student Debt $15,795
  • Repayment Rate (3yr) 23.3%
  • Employment Rate 78.7%

Graduate Earnings Distribution

Earnings range for Tiffin University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.

Graduates earn a median of $42,475 six years after enrollment — roughly 3% below the national median.
Payback Period
2.81 years
Total Degree Cost ÷ Annual Earnings

Tiffin University vs. National Average

Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Tiffin University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Tiffin University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.

EDsmart Insight: While Tiffin University graduates earn $42,475 median, the -59.9% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.

Acceptance & Selectivity

Getting In

Acceptance Rate
80.0%
Lightly Selective
National Average
69%
Average acceptance rate
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading 470-555
  • SAT Math 440-555
  • SAT Writing Not reported
  • ACT Composite 15-21
  • SAT & ACT Required
  • Undergraduate Enrollment 2,051
  • Full-Time Students 95.0%
  • Part-Time Students 5.0%
  • Retention Rate 71.6%
  • Graduation Rate 39.9%
  • Student-Faculty Ratio 22:1

How to Get Into Tiffin University

1. Meet Academic Requirements: Tiffin University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.

2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.

3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 80.0%, Tiffin University is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.

4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.

Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.

EDsmart Insight: With a 80.0% acceptance rate, Tiffin University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 910 and 1110 on the SAT.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Program Distribution

Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Tiffin University undergraduates. Business Administration, Management and Operations, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting a, and Criminal Justice and Corrections draw the most students.

  • Business Administration, Management and Operations 12.3%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting a 11.0%
  • Criminal Justice and Corrections 10.2%
  • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology 9.6%
  • Security Science and Technology 9.6%
  • Marketing 7.1%
See more majors
  • Accounting and Related Services 6.5%
  • Psychology, Other 4.6%

Highest Earning Programs

Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.

Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)

  • 1. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other $68,814
  • 2. Computer and Information Sciences, General $62,718
  • 3. Criminal Justice and Corrections $54,187
Show additional high-earning majors
  • 4. Accounting and Related Services $53,517
  • 5. Business Administration, Management and Operations $52,754
  • 6. Human Resources Management and Services $47,095
  • 7. Security Science and Technology $38,994
  • 8. Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology $38,989
  • 9. Marketing $35,165

Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)

  • 1. Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degree) $69,174
  • 2. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (Master's Degree) $68,421
  • 3. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $66,294
Show additional graduate majors
  • 4. Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degree) $62,649
  • 5. Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degree) $61,467
  • 6. Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degree) $61,068
  • 7. Psychology, Other (Master's Degree) $54,590
  • 8. Criminology (Master's Degree) $52,914
  • 9. Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degree) $49,452
  • 10. Marketing (Master's Degree) $46,272

Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other grads earn $68,814—96% more than Marketing ($35,165). Graduate: Finance and Financial Management Services programs lead with $69,174 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.

Online Degrees & Distance Learning

College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Tiffin University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard

Most Popular Online Degrees

  • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degree, 46 graduates)
  • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degree, 19 graduates)
  • International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degree, 16 graduates)
  • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degree, 10 graduates)
  • Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degree, 9 graduates)

What This School Offers Online, at a Glance

College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.

Online Bachelor's Degrees (18 programs)
  • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
  • International Relations and National Security Studies
  • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
  • Computer and Information Sciences, General
  • Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
  • Music
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
  • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Fine and Studio Arts
  • Demography and Population Studies
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
  • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
  • Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Communication and Media Studies
Online Master's Degrees (1 program)
  • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology

Student Demographics

Student Population

  • Total Undergraduate Enrollment 2,051
  • Full-Time Students 95.0%
  • Part-Time Students 5.0%
  • Male Students 49.7%
  • Female Students 50.3%
  • Caucasian 52.6%
  • Asian 2.5%
  • Hispanic 0.5%
  • Black 16.0%
  • Pell Grant Recipients 31.5%

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Tiffin University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.

Gender Distribution

Gender breakdown of Tiffin University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.

Graduation Rate Equity Analysis

How well does Tiffin University support students from different economic backgrounds?

Pell Grant Recipients
38.4%
6-year graduation rate
Non-Pell Students
40.5%
6-year graduation rate
Equity Gap
2.1 pts
excellent equity

What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.

Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity

Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Tiffin University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.

Graduation Rate Equity Analysis

How well does Tiffin University support students from different economic backgrounds?

Pell Grant Recipients
38.4%
6-year graduation rate
Non-Pell Students
40.5%
6-year graduation rate
Equity Gap
2.1 pts
excellent equity

What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.

Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity

Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Tiffin University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.

Our Take

Tiffin University offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -59.9% ROI. Ranked #1739 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.

The $26,500 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $42,475 median earnings. With 39.9% graduating within six years and 71.6% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.

Private University Value: Tiffin University's Positioning

With a C grade and #1739 ranking, Tiffin University competes in the crowded regional private university market.

The Private University Premium: At $26,500 annually, Tiffin University charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 71.6% retention rate suggests students value this environment.

Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $18,550 achieve particularly strong value.

Cost-Benefit Reality: The -59.9% ROI and $42,475 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $16,500+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.

Competitive Standing: Tiffin University ranks #1739 of 1942 institutions, with 1414 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.

Key Takeaways

  • 39.9% six-year graduation rate sits 22.6 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
  • 71.6% first-year retention is 5.2 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
  • -59.9% return on investment is 145.2 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
  • Median earnings of $42,475 run about 3% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
  • Average net price of $26,500 is roughly $6,482 higher than the national median of $20,018.

Helpfulness for Students

Green Flags
  • 22:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
  • 71.6% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
  • 78.7% employment rate within three years sits 10.5 points above national outcomes.
Red Flags
  • Average net price of $26,500 is about $6,482 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
  • Pell participation at 31.5% trails the national share by 2.8 points, so equity work remains important.
  • Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis

EDsmart rates Tiffin University—a private nonprofit university in Tiffin, OH—at C overall. It is currently ranked #1739 nationally Completion earns C+, Support C, Career Outcomes B-, and Affordability C+.

Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.

Student momentum is strong: 71.6% retention and 39.9% six-year graduation. The reported ROI is -59.9%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.

Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.

EDsmart Financial Snapshot

Families pay about $26,500 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $48,004.

Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $21,504 per year.

Graduates leave with a median of $15,795 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.

About 31.5% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.

Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.

EDsmart Career Snapshot

Median earnings come in near $42,475 six years after enrollment. This is roughly 3% below typical U.S. college outcomes.

The three-year employment rate is close to 78.7%.

EDsmart lists the ROI at -59.9%, offering a quick read on value.

Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.

EDsmart Admissions Snapshot

80.0% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.

The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.

Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Tiffin University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.

Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.

EDsmart Verdict
0.53 / 5
Value Rating - Based on affordability and career outcomes

Your Decision Toolkit

Run the Net Price Calculator
Get your personalized cost estimate
Compare with similar schools
See how Tiffin University stacks up to alternatives
Check your major's earnings
See ROI for your specific field of study
Visit the campus
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Visit Tiffin University Website →

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Contact Information

  • AccreditationHigher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
  • Endowment$18.3M
  • Transfer Enrollment Rate32.5%

Data Source & Methodology