UC Admission Requirements
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UC Admission Overview
UC admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UC admitted 85.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.69 GPA (A-) and SAT 1160-1370 / ACT 24-29. UC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UC is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
UC Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for University of Cincinnati Main Campus
Acceptance Rate
The UC acceptance rate is 85.3%. Last year, 29,242 of 34,285 applicants were admitted. That is the 51st lowest acceptance rate in Ohio.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into UC and can you get accepted?
UC is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
University of Cincinnati Main Campus typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.69. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UC GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.69Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.69
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at UC typically have around a 3.69 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. UC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
25% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #13 in Ohio for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
UC Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Cincinnati is test-optional for first-year applicants for 2026-27, including Fall 2027. Students may apply with or without SAT or ACT scores, and choosing not to send scores does not disadvantage them in admission or in scholarship review if they meet the November 1 Early Action deadline. All undergraduate programs will consider applicants without scores. If scores are used, they must be official reports from ACT or College Board; self-reported scores and scores on a transcript are not accepted. SAT Essay and ACT Writing are not required.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.admissions.uc.edu/information/high-school/fymc-information/test-optional-admission.html
UC SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1160-1370Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
11%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 570
- Math 590
- Composite 1160
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 700
- Composite 1370
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at UC typically score around a 1270 SAT (middle 50% 1160–1370) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 85th percentile nationally. UC ranks #10 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1160 to 1370
SAT policy
UC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1270 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UC ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
24-29Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
30%25th Percentile Scores
- English 22
- Math 23
- Composite 24
75th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 29
- Composite 29
Average ACT
Incoming testers at UC typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 24–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UC places #11 among colleges in Ohio for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 29
ACT policy
You may apply to UC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
82% of University of Cincinnati Main Campus freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 47% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the UC chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Cincinnati Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Mar 1, 2027Days left to Apply
184Applicants have 184 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Mar 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Cincinnati Main Campus is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
UC is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 85.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.69 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1160-1370); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Cincinnati Main Campus often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=201885.
GPA calculator: University of Cincinnati Main Campus GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026