UC vs. OWU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than OWU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Ohio Wesleyan University is in Delaware, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Ohio Wesleyan University 12:1.

UC vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC or OWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ohio Wesleyan University than UC ($23,006 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 7.6% lower than at Ohio Wesleyan University ($13,564 vs. $14,684).
• Ohio Wesleyan University is 285.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $39,912 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.9% higher at OWU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $24,578 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 454.9% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($45,481 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. OWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC or OWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OWU and UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 40 points higher than at OWU (1230).
• Incoming OWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; OWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; OWU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at OWU (3.54).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than OWU (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 12.6% at OWU.

UC vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC and OWU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ohio Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than OWU graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OWU graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.