O
Private 4 Year

OU Admission Requirements

Ottawa, Kansas

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Your chances of getting into Ottawa University Ottawa

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78.2%
Admission Difficulty for Ottawa University Ottawa
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at OU is 78.2%.  Its admission rate is the 12th lowest in Kansas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into OU and can you get accepted?

Ottawa University Ottawa is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,606 out of the 3,331 who applied were admitted.

Ottawa University Ottawa typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.12. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into OU?

78% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Ottawa University Ottawa you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.12 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 980 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

OU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.12

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Ottawa University Ottawa?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into OU are to have around a 3.12 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.12 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as OU accepts 78% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at OU is 3.12 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #25 in Kansas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since OU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.1 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Ottawa University Ottawa students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 2.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 15.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 13.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.0% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 18.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 20.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 6.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 8.0% Reach
less than 1.00 8.0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

OU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Ottawa University Ottawa. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 6% of students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

860-1100

Applicants Submitting SAT 

6%
SAT Scores for Ottawa University Ottawa
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 460
Math 25th Percentile 400
Composite 25th Percentile 860
SAT Scores for Ottawa University Ottawa
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 540
Math 75th Percentile 560
Composite 75th Percentile 1100
Average SAT Score 980

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Ottawa University Ottawa?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at OU is 980 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 860-1100. Students who get into Ottawa University Ottawa score in the top 83 percent of all SAT test takers..  OU ranks #12 in the state of Kansas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 980 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. OU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 860 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 860, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 740, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Ottawa University Ottawa is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 980 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 980, you have around a 78% chance of being admitted. A 1100 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 87% chance of getting in.

Ottawa University Ottawa admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1100 and Above Good >87%
980 to 1100 Avg + 78%-87%
860 to 980 Avg - 65%-78%
740 to 860 Reach 50%-65%
Less than 740 Low <50%
Calculate My Chances 

OU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-23 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

9%
ACT Scores for Ottawa University Ottawa
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 16
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for Ottawa University Ottawa
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 21
Math 75th Percentile 22
Composite 75th Percentile 23
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into OU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to OU is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 23.  The school ranks #12 in Kansas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

9 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Ottawa University Ottawa.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Ottawa University Ottawa is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into OU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 78% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 88% with a 23 ACT score.

Ottawa University Ottawa admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
23 and Above Good >88%
20 to 23 Avg + 78%-88%
18 to 20 Avg - 68%-78%
16 to 18 Reach 56%-68%
Less than 16 Low <56%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

54% of Ottawa University Ottawa freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 48% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Ottawa University Ottawa students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 39%
Top 25% of class 48%
Top 50% of class 54%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Ottawa University Ottawa admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 721 2,610 3,331
Accepted 507 2,099 2,606
Acceptance Rate 70% 80% 78%
Enrolled 84 177 261
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 8% 10%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Ottawa University Ottawa is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Ottawa University Ottawa and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Ottawa University Ottawa Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Ottawa University Ottawa
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Ottawa University Ottawa is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.12 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 980 and ACT of 20 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Ottawa University Ottawa often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=155627 IPEDS survey data for Ottawa University Ottawa.

Last updated February 24, 2024