Capital University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Columbus, Ohio · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective
Ranked #49 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest; Nursing #629 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Is Capital University a reach, target or safety for your student?
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Capital University is a private nonprofit university in Columbus, Ohio that admits about 70% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $22,576 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 11.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Capital University is a private institution located in Columbus, Ohio with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Capital University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 70%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1068 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,576 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Capital University?
Capital University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
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SAT and ACT scores Capital University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 460–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 575. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
How much does Capital University actually cost?
Published tuition is $43,234 for in-state students and $43,234 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,984 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $22,576 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 34% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $22,576 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at Capital University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Capital University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Capital University confers roughly 303 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $74,378 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 81 | $74,378 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 45 | $63,516 |
| Psychology, General | 36 | $47,965 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 32 | $47,168 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 28 | $49,188 |
| Social Work | 28 | $47,490 |
| Music | 28 | $44,322 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 25 | n/a |
Is Capital University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Capital University disclosed 18 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 11.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Ohio parents ask about
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- Ohio State University-Main Campus61% acceptance
- University of Cincinnati-Main Campus85% acceptance
- Case Western Reserve University37% acceptance
- University of Dayton65% acceptance
- Miami University-Oxford75% acceptance
- Kent State University at Kent86% acceptance
- Cleveland State University91% acceptance
Next steps for Capital University
Common questions parents ask about Capital University
What GPA do I need for Capital University?
Capital University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What SAT or ACT score does Capital University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 460–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 575. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25.
How much does Capital University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Capital University after grants and scholarships is $22,576 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $43,234. Budget against the net figure.
Is Capital University realistic for my child?
Capital University admits 70% of applicants, so 460–590 SAT Math is target range and below 460 is a reach. Then check the $22,576 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Capital University?
Capital University accepts about 70% of applicants. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Capital University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Capital University is a private nonprofit institution located in Columbus, Ohio.
What are the most popular majors at Capital University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Capital University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. The school awards about 303 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Capital University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Capital University reported 18 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 11.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers