Central Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Warrensburg, MO
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#6 Best Public Universities in Missouri

Central Admission Overview

Central admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Central admitted 63.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.68 GPA (A-) and ACT 19-25. Central 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

Central Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

63.8%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Central Missouri

Acceptance Rate

The Central acceptance rate is 63.8%. Last year, 3,603 of 5,647 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in Missouri.

Admission Selectivity

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

Central is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of Central Missouri typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Central GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.68

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.68

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Central typically have around a 3.68 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Central is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #8 in Missouri for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 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 University of Central Missouri freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 18.76% Good
3.75 to 3.99 19.21% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.94% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 15.6% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.53% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 11.99% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.61% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.36% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Central SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen who sent SAT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Central Missouri

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Central Missouri

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

Central ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-25

Freshmen reporting ACT

69%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 18
  • Math 18
  • Composite 19
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Central Missouri

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 24
  • Math 25
  • Composite 25
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Central Missouri

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Central typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–25) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Central places #13 among colleges in Missouri for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 25

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 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 University of Central Missouri
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
25+ Above 75th >77%
22 to 25 Avg + 64%-77%
19 to 22 Avg - 48%-64%
Below 19 Below mid-50 <48%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

72% of University of Central Missouri freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Central Missouri students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 16%
Top 25% of class 40%
Top 50% of class 72%

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 Central chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Central Missouri admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,265 2,372 5,647
Accepted 2,129 1,469 3,603
Acceptance Rate 65% 62% 64%
Enrolled 556 470 1,031
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 26% 32% 29%

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

Application Requirements

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

University of Central Missouri 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 required for admission, but considered 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 University of Central Missouri is $30.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Central Missouri
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

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

Admission summary

Central is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 63.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.68 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of Central Missouri often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=176965.

GPA calculator: University of Central Missouri GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026