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Private 4 Year

Cleveland Institute of Art Admission Requirements

Cleveland, Ohio

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Your chances of getting into Cleveland Institute of Art

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

69.8%
Admission Difficulty for Cleveland Institute of Art
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Cleveland Institute of Art is 69.8%.  Its admission rate is the 24th lowest in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Cleveland Institute of Art and can you get accepted?

Cleveland Institute of Art is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 484 out of the 693 who applied were admitted.

Cleveland Institute of Art typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.48. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Cleveland Institute of Art?

70% 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 Cleveland Institute of Art you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.48 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Cleveland Institute of Art GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.48

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Cleveland Institute of Art?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Cleveland Institute of Art are to have around a 3.48 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Cleveland Institute of Art accepts 70% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Cleveland Institute of Art is 3.48 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #32 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Cleveland Institute of Art 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 3.5 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 Cleveland Institute of Art students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 15.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 19.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 20.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 15.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 14.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Cleveland Institute of Art SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Cleveland Institute of Art. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 14% of students submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1080-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

14%
SAT Scores for Cleveland Institute of Art
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1080
SAT Scores for Cleveland Institute of Art
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1280
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Cleveland Institute of Art?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Cleveland Institute of Art is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1080-1280. Students who get into Cleveland Institute of Art score in the top 45 percent of all SAT test takers..  Cleveland Institute of Art ranks #17 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cleveland Institute of Art regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1080 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1080, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 980, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Cleveland Institute of Art 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 1180 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 1180, you have around a 70% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 82% chance of getting in.

Cleveland Institute of Art admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >82%
1180 to 1280 Avg + 70%-82%
1080 to 1180 Avg - 55%-70%
980 to 1080 Reach 39%-55%
Less than 980 Low <39%
Calculate My Chances 

Cleveland Institute of Art ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

28%
ACT Scores for Cleveland Institute of Art
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Cleveland Institute of Art
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cleveland Institute of Art?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Cleveland Institute of Art is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #16 in Ohio for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Cleveland Institute of Art.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Cleveland Institute of Art 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 Cleveland Institute of Art for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 70% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 83% with a 28 ACT score.

Cleveland Institute of Art admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >83%
24 to 28 Avg + 70%-83%
21 to 24 Avg - 57%-70%
18 to 21 Reach 44%-57%
Less than 18 Low <44%
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High School Class Rank

67% of Cleveland Institute of Art freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Cleveland Institute of Art students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 10%
Top 25% of class 35%
Top 50% of class 67%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Cleveland Institute of Art admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 502 191 693
Accepted 364 120 484
Acceptance Rate 73% 63% 70%
Enrolled 116 38 154
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 32% 32% 32%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Cleveland Institute of Art is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Cleveland Institute of Art and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Cleveland Institute of Art 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 Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Cleveland Institute of Art
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Cleveland Institute of Art is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.48 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1180 on the SAT and 24 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Cleveland Institute of Art often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=202046 IPEDS survey data for Cleveland Institute of Art.

Last updated February 24, 2024