More selective than 93% of Ohio colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
43% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 23% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose CWRU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What CWRU weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as CWRU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- Extracurricular activities
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of CWRU first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.78. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
25% of early decision applicants were admitted (263 of 1,053). Admitted students must enroll.
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
9,168 offered a spot, 688 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
CWRU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, CWRU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 700 | 760 |
| SAT math | 730 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 32 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1430 | 1540 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
CWRU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 37% | 700–760 | 730–780 | 32–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 29% | 700–750 | 730–790 | 32–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is CWRU compared with other Ohio colleges?
CWRU has the 5th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Ohio colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denison University | 17% | 79% | $40,007 |
| 2 | Kenyon College | 31% | 82% | $38,512 |
| 3 | Oberlin College | 34% | 81% | $38,645 |
| 4 | Art Academy of Cincinnati | 34% | 41% | $34,253 |
| 5 | Case Western Reserve University | 37% | 87% | $41,190 |
| 6 | Ohio Christian University | 38% | 34% | $20,607 |
| 7 | Wilberforce University | 41% | 12% | $5,567 |
| 8 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 46% | 73% | $19,622 |
| 9 | Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 46% | 53% | $24,204 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Ohio colleges →
Who enrolls at CWRU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
CWRU admissions questions
What is the CWRU acceptance rate?
Case Western Reserve University accepts 37% of applicants, about 1 in 3. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 11,193 of 39,033 applicants were admitted.
Does CWRU require the SAT or ACT?
Case Western Reserve University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 43% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 23% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for CWRU?
The middle 50% of Case Western Reserve University enrolled first-year students scored 1430–1540 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at CWRU?
14% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,544 of 11,193).
What does CWRU look for in applicants?
Case Western Reserve University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA, extracurricular activities. Important: essay, recommendations, interview, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, volunteer work. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does CWRU have early decision?
Yes. Case Western Reserve University offers binding early decision; 25% of early decision applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (263 of 1,053). It also offers non-binding early action.
Is CWRU getting harder to get into?
Case Western Reserve University accepted 37% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 29% for Fall 2023.
Is CWRU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; CWRU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Case Western Reserve University overview