Ohio · College profile

University of Cincinnati: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs

University of Cincinnati is a public four-year university in Cincinnati, Ohio, enrolling about 29,882 undergraduates. It admits roughly 85% of applicants, which makes it largely open-access relative to four-year colleges nationally.

University of Cincinnati campus
Photo: No restrictions

SAT and ACT scores at University of Cincinnati

MeasureScore
SAT 25th percentile1160
SAT 75th percentile1370
SAT midpoint (estimated)1260
ACT 25th percentile24
ACT 75th percentile29
ACT midpoint (estimated)27

A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1160 and a quarter scored above 1370. Treat 1370 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1160 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.

The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 29 and an SAT 1370 are read as equivalent here.

Admissions and selectivity

MeasureValue
Acceptance rate85.3%
Undergraduate enrollment29,882
Student–faculty ratio19:1
SettingCity
ControlPublic

Cost and financial aid

MeasureAmount
In-state tuition and fees$13,976
Out-of-state tuition and fees$29,310
Room and board$13,564
Average net price (first-year students)$25,648
Students receiving Pell grants18.8%
Students taking federal loans37.3%
Median federal loan debt at graduation$12,000

Net price is the number that matters: $25,648 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.

Graduation and earnings outcomes

MeasureValue
Graduation rate (6-year)75.0%
First-year retention85.4%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$54,810
Students who are first-generation31.0%

Most popular majors

Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.

How your score compares

Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside University of Cincinnati's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.

Start a free practice test →

Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do you need for University of Cincinnati?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at University of Cincinnati scored between 1160 and 1370 on the SAT. A score at or above 1370 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1160 the rest of your application carries more weight.

What ACT score do you need for University of Cincinnati?

The middle 50% ACT range at University of Cincinnati is 24 to 29. Aim for 29 to make the score a clear strength.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Cincinnati?

University of Cincinnati admits about 85.3% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

How much does University of Cincinnati cost?

Published tuition and fees are $13,976 in-state and $29,310 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $25,648 after grant aid.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.

FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →