More selective than 21% of Ohio colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
11% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 36% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Cincinnati 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 University of Cincinnati weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as University of Cincinnati reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- High school GPA
- Talent or ability
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Character and personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Interview
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- 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 University of Cincinnati first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.67. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
100% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
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
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
University of Cincinnati 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, University of Cincinnati is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 570 | 670 |
| SAT math | 590 | 700 |
| ACT composite | 24 | 29 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1160 | 1370 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Cincinnati admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 85% | 570–670 | 590–700 | 24–29 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 88% | 580–670 | 570–690 | 24–29 | 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 University of Cincinnati compared with other Ohio colleges?
University of Cincinnati has the 49th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Ohio colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 84% | 54% | $10,420 |
| 46 | Youngstown State University | 84% | 50% | $12,767 |
| 47 | Otterbein University | 85% | 68% | $19,237 |
| 48 | Ohio University | 85% | 65% | $21,637 |
| 49 | University of Cincinnati | 85% | 75% | $25,648 |
| 50 | Heidelberg University | 86% | 52% | $20,556 |
| 51 | Kent State University at Kent | 86% | 64% | $20,787 |
| 52 | Xavier University | 86% | 69% | $32,997 |
| 53 | Antioch College | 89% | 41% | $14,834 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Ohio colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Cincinnati
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Cincinnati admissions questions
What is the University of Cincinnati acceptance rate?
University of Cincinnati accepts 85% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 29,077 of 33,165 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Cincinnati require the SAT or ACT?
University of Cincinnati considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 11% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 36% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Cincinnati?
The middle 50% of University of Cincinnati enrolled first-year students scored 1160–1370 on the SAT and 24–29 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 University of Cincinnati?
24% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (6,922 of 29,077).
What does University of Cincinnati look for in applicants?
University of Cincinnati reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA, talent or ability. Important: rigor of high school courses. Considered: class rank, sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, character and personal qualities, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does University of Cincinnati have early decision?
No. University of Cincinnati does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is University of Cincinnati getting harder to get into?
University of Cincinnati accepted 85% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 88% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; University of Cincinnati'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 University of Cincinnati overview