Case Western Reserve University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Cleveland, Ohio · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Case Western Reserve University is a private nonprofit university in Cleveland, Ohio that admits about 38% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $41,190 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer Science, Biology, General and Mechanical Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 87% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 9.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Case Western Reserve University is a private institution located in Cleveland, Ohio with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Case Western Reserve University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 38%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1500 and an ACT composite around 34. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $41,190 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Case Western Reserve University?
65% of enrolled students at Case Western Reserve University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Case Western Reserve University weight in admissions?
Case Western Reserve University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Interview
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
SAT and ACT scores Case Western Reserve University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 730–780, with an EBRW midpoint near 710. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1450 |
| 50th percentile | 1500 |
| 75th percentile | 1530 |
| % submitting SAT | 46% |
| 25th percentile | 32 |
| 50th percentile | 34 |
| 75th percentile | 35 |
| % submitting ACT | 23% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 74.48% |
| Top 25% of class | 94.41% |
| Top 50% of class | 99.65% |
| % submitting class rank | 17.67% |
How much does Case Western Reserve University actually cost?
Published tuition is $66,608 for in-state students and $66,608 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,762 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $41,190 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $68,660 |
| Room and board | $19,514 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $41,190 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Case Western Reserve University
| Regular deadline | 1/15 |
| Notification date | 3/19 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Case Western Reserve University?
These predict outcomes at Case Western Reserve University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Case Western Reserve University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Case Western Reserve University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer Science, Biology, General and Mechanical Engineering. Across all programs, Case Western Reserve University confers roughly 777 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer Science program report a median income of about $119,949 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 141 | $119,949 |
| Biology, General | 116 | $63,457 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 108 | $92,158 |
| Psychology, General | 101 | $52,552 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 99 | $79,780 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 86 | $99,721 |
| Economics | 67 | $79,150 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 59 | $64,824 |
Is Case Western Reserve University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Case Western Reserve University disclosed 62 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 9.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Case Western Reserve University?
About 71% of undergraduates at Case Western Reserve University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 16% of men join a fraternity and 14% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Common questions parents ask about Case Western Reserve University
What GPA do I need for Case Western Reserve University?
65% of enrolled students at Case Western Reserve University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Case Western Reserve University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 730–780, with an EBRW midpoint near 710. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–34.
How much does Case Western Reserve University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Case Western Reserve University after grants and scholarships is $41,190 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $66,608. Budget against the net figure.
Is Case Western Reserve University realistic for my child?
Case Western Reserve University admits 38% of applicants, so 730–780 SAT Math is target range and below 730 is a reach. Then check the $41,190 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Case Western Reserve University?
Case Western Reserve University accepts about 38% of applicants out of roughly 37,082 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Case Western Reserve University test-optional?
Yes. Case Western Reserve University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Case Western Reserve University?
About 87% of students at Case Western Reserve University graduate within six years, and 72% finish in four years. 92% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Case Western Reserve University look for in applicants?
Case Western Reserve University rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and extracurricular activities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Case Western Reserve University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Case Western Reserve University is a private nonprofit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio.
What are the most popular majors at Case Western Reserve University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Case Western Reserve University by annual graduates are Computer Science, Biology, General and Mechanical Engineering. The school awards about 777 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Case Western Reserve University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Case Western Reserve University reported 62 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 9.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Case Western Reserve University?
At Case Western Reserve University, 71% of undergraduates live on campus, 16% of men are in fraternities, 14% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Case Western Reserve University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers