OU Admission Requirements

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Ottawa, KS
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OU Admission Overview

OU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year OU admitted 83% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.12 GPA (B) and SAT 750-1000 / ACT 16-22. OU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

OU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

OU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

83%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The OU acceptance rate is 83%. Last year, 2,166 of 2,611 applicants were admitted. That is the 14th lowest acceptance rate in Kansas.

Admission Selectivity

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

OU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Ottawa University Ottawa typically 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. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

OU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.12

Typical High School Grades

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.12

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at OU typically have around a 3.12 GPA (B) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have about average high school grades. OU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #25 in Kansas for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.1 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Ottawa University Ottawa freshmen
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	3.0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

OU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

750-1000

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 420
Math 330
Composite 750

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 500
Math 500
Composite 1000

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at OU typically score around a 880 SAT (middle 50% 750–1000) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 19th percentile nationally. OU ranks #16 in the state of Kansas for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 750 to 1000

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

OU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 880 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Ottawa University Ottawa
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1000+	Above 75th	>90%
880 to 1000	Avg +	83%-90%
750 to 880	Avg -	72%-83%
Below 750	Below mid-50	<72%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

OU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

16-22

Freshmen reporting ACT

20%

25th Percentile Scores

English 14
Math 16
Composite 16

75th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 22
Composite 22

Average ACT

Incoming testers at OU typically have around a 19 ACT (mid-50 16–22) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 44th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. OU places #15 among colleges in Kansas for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 16 to 22

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to OU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 19.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Ottawa University Ottawa
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
22+	Above 75th	>90%
19 to 22	Avg +	83%-90%
16 to 19	Avg -	72%-83%
Below 16	Below mid-50	<72%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the OU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Ottawa University Ottawa admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	613	1,998	2,611
Accepted	445	1,721	2,166
Acceptance Rate	73%	86%	83%
Enrolled	100	206	306
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	22%	12%	14%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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 required for admission, but considered 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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Ottawa University Ottawa
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

OU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 83% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.12 GPA (about an B average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (750-1000); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025