Research.com
Defiance College logo

Defiance College

701 North Clinton Street, Defiance, OH 43512-1610, USA

Defiance College award
Defiance College award
US ranking
position: 915
Tuition & fees per year: $29,320
Acceptance rate: 42.00%
Median alumni salary: $33,634
Avg. SAT and ACT: 985 SAT, 20 ACT
Entrance difficulty: N/A

What does Defiance College offer in terms of athletics?

Defiance College provides a diverse athletics program that includes multiple men's and women's varsity sports, competing primarily in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) within the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. Students have the opportunity to participate in basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross country, and track and field, among others.

The college places emphasis on fostering competitive sports along with personal development and team spirit. Facilities have been developed to support training and competitions, offering a well-rounded athletic experience for student-athletes. This environment aims to balance academic commitments with physical activity, promoting health and teamwork throughout the student body.

What student groups and Associations are available at Defiance College?

Defiance College offers a variety of student organizations that cater to diverse interests and fields of study. Among these groups are the Campus Activities Board, which organizes campus events; the Criminal Justice Society, focusing on students pursuing careers in law enforcement and related areas; the Student Senate, serving as a representative body for the student population; the Black Action Student Association, which addresses cultural and social issues; and the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Approximately 4.8% of the student body are members of social organizations, considering there are 6 men and 6 women in these groups out of a total of 430 students (272 men and 158 women).

Who studies at Defiance College?

The student population at Defiance College is relatively small, with a total enrollment of 157 new and transfer students combined. Freshmen make up the majority, numbering 134, which places the college in the lower 30% nationally for this group, indicating a smaller incoming class compared to many other institutions. Transfers are fewer, with 23 students, ranking at an average level but still within the lower 40% percentile.

The undergraduate contingent spans a wide age range. Most undergraduates are between 18 and 21 years old, with 168 students aged 18-19 and 180 students aged 20-21, reflecting a traditional college-age majority. However, there is also a noticeable presence of older students, including 84 individuals aged 22-24 and smaller numbers scattered across older age brackets, demonstrating some diversity in student age.

Graduate students are fewer but contribute to an older age profile, mainly between 22 and 64 years old. This graduate group includes 17 students aged 22-24, 9 aged 25-29, and several older students, reaching as high as the 50-64 age category. This blend suggests that Defiance College attracts both recent graduates and mature learners pursuing advanced studies.

When considering ethnic diversity, Defiance College shows representation across several groups. The largest numbers are from the White and African American populations, with 285 and 118 students respectively, both ranked in the bottom 35% nationally, indicating a smaller representation relative to many colleges. Hispanic students number 36, also in the bottom 35%, while smaller groups include Native American and Asian students, each in the bottom 40% nationally. Students identifying with two or more races are comparatively fewer, at 7, falling into the bottom 30% percentile. There is also a small category for unknown race, with 4 students.

How does student life look like at Defiance College?

Student life at Defiance College offers a close-knit community with a total enrollment of 511 students, reflecting a smaller campus environment where personalized attention is possible due to a low student-to-faculty ratio of 10. The college supports a variety of extracurricular activities, including a campus newspaper, drama productions, band, and chorus, contributing to a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

Although campus radio and television are not available, students can engage in several artistic pursuits and performances. The college also provides services geared toward well-being, such as psychological counseling and a veterans affairs office, indicating a commitment to supporting diverse student needs. However, amenities like legal services, a health clinic, and a women's center are not present on campus.

Defiance College participates in NCAA athletics, which may appeal to students interested in collegiate sports. The campus covers an area of 150 units (unit type not specified), underscoring a compact campus size conducive to a close community feel.

What libraries are available to students at Defiance College?

Defiance College offers access to two libraries, including its main Pilgrim Library, placing it in the top half of comparable institutions for library availability. Students benefit from one additional library resource on campus, which supports an average level of academic resource diversity.

The college's physical and digital facilities are well supported, with weekly service hours totaling 90 and access to study rooms, though it does not offer all-day access. The library staff are trained, hours are clearly established, and students can use shared collections beyond the immediate campus.

While the total number of books, subscriptions, and ebooks falls below the median relative to peer institutions, with around 63,231 books and 295 subscriptions, the digital offerings are more robust, including over 104,000 digital subscriptions and a substantial database collection of 170 resources. However, these digital and print holdings remain in the lower half compared to similar colleges.

Defiance College Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

511

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

131

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

124 full time, 35 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Defiance College Library Services and Resources

Main library name

Pilgrim Library

Number of libraries on campus

2

Reservable study rooms in library

Yes

24h access

No

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

Defiance College Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

Defiance College Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Defiance College Location & Map

Recently Published Articles