University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a public research university and the birthplace of cooperative education, pairing classroom study with paid professional co-op rotations across nearly every program. Set on the Uptown campus near downtown Cincinnati, it enrolls about 33,500 undergraduates and admits roughly 85% of applicants, with enrolled first-years averaging a 3.69 high school GPA. Business and marketing leads the degrees conferred, followed by the health professions and engineering, and UC is also known nationally for its DAAP design and architecture college. The university is test-optional, and most admitted students who test submit ACT scores in the 24–29 range.
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Cincinnati admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Cincinnati does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Cincinnati is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Cincinnati's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 42.9% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Cincinnati does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Cincinnati weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Cincinnati's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $15,334 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Cincinnati admissions
Is it hard to get into the University of Cincinnati?＋
Not especially. UC admits about 85% of applicants, roughly 29,200 from a pool of 34,300, so it is accessible for solid students. Enrolled first-years average a 3.69 high school GPA, and academic GPA is the factor UC weighs most heavily. Selective programs such as DAAP design, nursing, and the co-op engineering tracks are more competitive than the overall rate.
What GPA and test scores do you need for the University of Cincinnati?＋
Enrolled first-years average a 3.69 high school GPA, and UC rates academic GPA as a very important factor. For the minority who submit scores, the middle 50% scored 1160–1350 on the SAT and 24–29 on the ACT. UC is test-optional, so a strong transcript can carry an application on its own.
What is the out-of-state acceptance rate at the University of Cincinnati?＋
Ohio residents are admitted at a somewhat higher rate than non-residents. For Fall 2024, UC admitted about 89% of in-state applicants and 83% of out-of-state applicants, with international applicants at roughly 69%. Out-of-state students still make up a meaningful share of the class, so the gap is modest for domestic applicants.
Is the University of Cincinnati test-optional?＋
Yes. UC is test-optional, and students choose whether to have SAT or ACT scores considered with their application. About 31% of enrolled first-years submitted an ACT and 11% an SAT. Among those who did, the middle 50% scored 24–29 on the ACT and 1160–1350 on the SAT.
Is a 1300 SAT good enough for the University of Cincinnati?＋
Yes. A 1300 sits above the median SAT of 1260 for enrolled first-years and within the middle-50% range of 1160–1350. Paired with a strong GPA it makes for a competitive application, and because UC is test-optional, a 1300 can only help your file.
How much does the University of Cincinnati cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and mandatory fees run about $14,394 for Ohio residents and $29,728 for out-of-state students at the Uptown campus. Around 48% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average package near $10,076. UC's signature co-op program also lets many students earn money during paid work rotations to offset costs.
What is the University of Cincinnati known for academically?＋
UC is the founder of cooperative education, and paid co-op placements are built into engineering, business, design, and many other majors. Business and marketing is the largest field at about 21% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the health professions at 14% and engineering at 13%, and its DAAP college is among the most respected design and architecture programs in the country.
Does the application essay matter at the University of Cincinnati?＋
Yes. UC rates the application essay as an important factor in its review, above test scores, which are only considered. While admissions are not highly selective overall, a clear, specific essay helps for competitive majors and scholarships, and it is one of the few places to show fit beyond your GPA.
Source: University of Cincinnati Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-11. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2025-2026 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Cincinnati. Banner photo by Steinsky, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).