Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
U. Cincinnati admits about 9 in 10 applicants (88%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 27% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (85% and 86%).
$50 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Ohio applicants were admitted at 90%, applicants from other states at 85%, and international applicants at 83%.
All applicants in the same class: 88%
Of those admitted, 27% from Ohio enrolled, against 15% from other states and 13% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
22% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Doesn't offer early decision or early action
Where you stand
How U. Cincinnati reads a record
GPA is very important; is important; class rank and tests are both considered. 46% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 9% of first-years sent an SAT and 25% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 44% whose high school reported a rank, 22% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of English, 4 of math, 3 of science, and 3 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Not considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Not considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
51% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 88% of first-year applicants
5,084 applied · 2,569 admitted · 1,302 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by July 1, reply by August 1
- Spring entry: apply by November 1, reply by December 1
- Summer entry: apply by March 1, reply by April 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Recommended for some
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by March 1 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent by December 19.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- $150 housing deposit, due May 3, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 semester.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; doesn't accept the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 4 | 4 |
| Science | 3 | 3 |
| Social studies | 3 | 3 |
| Academic electives | 6 | 6 |
| Total | 20 | 20 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.67
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.025%
- 3.75–3.9921%
- 3.50–3.7418%
- 3.25–3.4915%
- 3.00–3.2411%
- below 3.010%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.25–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 24.8% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 20.8% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 18.4% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 14.9% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 11.4% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 9.1% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.4% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.1% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
22% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 47% in the top quarter, of the 44% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1260 on the SAT, 90 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
15% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
26% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
19% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
18% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
27% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
23% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 9% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 25% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
583 studentssubmitted ACT
1,594 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (Fall 2025), Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)