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Cleveland Institute of Art Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Cleveland, OH
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Cleveland Institute of Art Admission Overview

Cleveland Institute of Art admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Cleveland Institute of Art admitted 61.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.48 GPA (B+) and SAT 980-1280 / ACT 23-29. Cleveland Institute of Art 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

Cleveland Institute of Art is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cleveland Institute of Art Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

61.3%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Cleveland Institute of Art acceptance rate is 61.3%. Last year, 600 of 978 applicants were admitted. That is the 18th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Cleveland Institute of Art typically 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. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Cleveland Institute of Art GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.48

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.48

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Cleveland Institute of Art typically have around a 3.48 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Cleveland Institute of Art is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #32 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 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 Cleveland Institute of Art freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Cleveland Institute of Art SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

980-1280

Freshmen who sent SAT

17%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 500
Math 480
Composite 980

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 660
Math 620
Composite 1280

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Cleveland Institute of Art typically score around a 1130 SAT (middle 50% 980–1280) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 64th percentile nationally. Cleveland Institute of Art ranks #22 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 980 to 1280

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Cleveland Institute of Art 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 1130 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 Cleveland Institute of Art
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1280+	Above 75th	>75%
1130 to 1280	Avg +	61%-75%
980 to 1130	Avg -	45%-61%
Below 980	Below mid-50	<45%

What do these figures mean?

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

Cleveland Institute of Art ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

23-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

13%

25th Percentile Scores

English 23
Math 20
Composite 23

75th Percentile Scores

English 31
Math 29
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Cleveland Institute of Art typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 23–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Cleveland Institute of Art places #12 among colleges in Ohio for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 23 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Cleveland Institute of Art without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 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 Cleveland Institute of Art
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>75%
26 to 29	Avg +	61%-75%
23 to 26	Avg -	45%-61%
Below 23	Below mid-50	<45%

How to read these figures

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

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 Cleveland Institute of Art chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Cleveland Institute of Art admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	717	261	978
Accepted	485	115	600
Acceptance Rate	68%	44%	61%
Enrolled	98	21	119
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	18%	20%

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

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
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 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

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

Application Fee

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

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Cleveland Institute of Art
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

Cleveland Institute of Art is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 61.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.48 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (980-1280); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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