University of Cincinnati-Main Campus: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Cincinnati, Ohio · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- 33,750
- Applicants
- 29,715
- Admitted88%
- 6,497
- Enrolled
- 22%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access88% admittedRanked #179 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #87 (tie), Business Programs #72 (tie), Computer Science #110 (tie), Nursing #56 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Cincinnati-Main Campus against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a public university in Cincinnati, Ohio that admits about 88% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $25,648 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Marketing, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 75% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 88%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1250 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,648 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
64% of enrolled students at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.67, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus weight in admissions?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Academic GPA
- Talent/ability
Important
1- Rigor of secondary school record
Considered
9- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Character/personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
6- Interview
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores University of Cincinnati-Main Campus typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1160 |
| 50th percentile | 1250 |
| 75th percentile | 1340 |
| % submitting SAT | 8.97% |
| 25th percentile | 24 |
| 50th percentile | 27 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
| % submitting ACT | 24.53% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • UC is test-optional for all programs.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
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 | 22.1% |
| Top 25% of class | 47.28% |
| Top 50% of class | 81.32% |
| % submitting class rank | 43.59% |
How much does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,976 for in-state students and $29,310 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,564 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $25,648 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $25,648 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 39% |
| Average need-based grant | $9,106 |
| Average merit award, no financial need1,780 first-year students received one | $6,387 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 53% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $27,571 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
| Regular deadline | March 1 |
| Notification date | December 19 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter |
Will my child graduate from University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
These predict outcomes at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Marketing, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus confers roughly 2,329 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Marketing program report a median income of about $67,864 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 436 | $67,864 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 379 | $76,330 |
| Psychology, General | 302 | $48,595 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 292 | $80,523 |
| Biology, General | 263 | $64,065 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 227 | $49,934 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 219 | $69,447 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 211 | $47,072 |
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Cincinnati-Main Campus disclosed 149 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 17 violent offenses and 40 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
About 21% of undergraduates at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 7% of men join a fraternity and 9% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Ohio parents ask about
Next steps for University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Common questions parents ask about University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
What GPA do I need for University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
64% of enrolled students at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.67, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–29.
How much does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus after grants and scholarships is $25,648 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,976 and $29,310 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus realistic for my child?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus admits 88% of applicants, so 590–700 SAT Math is target range and below 590 is a reach. Then check the $25,648 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus accepts about 88% of applicants out of roughly 33,750 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus test-optional?
Yes. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, 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 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
About 75% of students at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduate within six years. 86% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus look for in applicants?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus rates GPA and talent and ability as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
What are the most popular majors at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus by annual graduates are Marketing, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. The school awards about 2,329 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus reported 149 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.0 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 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
At University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, 21% of undergraduates live on campus, 7% of men are in fraternities, 9% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers