More selective than 70% of Ohio colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
20% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 14% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose CIA 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.
We don't have CIA's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at CIA or have its file? Send it to us.
CIA 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, CIA is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 500 | 660 |
| SAT math | 480 | 620 |
| ACT composite | 23 | 29 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 980 | 1280 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
CIA admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 61% | 500–660 | 480–620 | 23–29 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 56% | 550–670 | 510–630 | 22–26 | 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 CIA compared with other Ohio colleges?
CIA has the 19th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Ohio colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Mount St. Joseph University | 59% | 56% | $16,530 |
| 16 | The College of Wooster | 60% | 74% | $23,458 |
| 17 | University of Akron Main Campus | 60% | 52% | $13,946 |
| 18 | Ohio State University | 61% | 88% | $17,339 |
| 19 | Cleveland Institute of Art | 61% | 58% | $29,208 |
| 20 | Cedarville University | 65% | 73% | $24,468 |
| 21 | University of Dayton | 65% | 80% | $29,533 |
| 22 | Bluffton University | 67% | 53% | $19,943 |
| 23 | Columbus College of Art & Design | 68% | 56% | $29,439 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Ohio colleges →
Who enrolls at CIA
College Scorecard; IPEDS
CIA admissions questions
What is the CIA acceptance rate?
Cleveland Institute of Art accepts 61% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 542 of 963 applicants were admitted.
Does CIA require the SAT or ACT?
Cleveland Institute of Art considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 20% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 14% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for CIA?
The middle 50% of Cleveland Institute of Art enrolled first-year students scored 980–1280 on the SAT and 23–29 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 CIA?
23% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (123 of 542).
Is CIA getting harder to get into?
Cleveland Institute of Art accepted 61% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 56% for Fall 2023.
Is CIA the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Cleveland Institute of Art overview