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#6 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

ONU Admission Requirements

Ada, Ohio

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Your chances of getting into Ohio Northern University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

54.4%
Admission Difficulty for Ohio Northern University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at ONU is 54.4%.  Its admission rate is the 14th lowest in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

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

ONU is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,602 out of the 6,625 who applied were admitted.

Ohio Northern University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.78. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into ONU?

54% 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 Ohio Northern University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.78 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1250 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT

ONU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.78

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Ohio Northern University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into ONU are to have around a 3.78 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as ONU accepts 54% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at ONU is 3.78 on the 4.0 scale. 34% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since ONU 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 3.8 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 Ohio Northern University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 33.82% Good
3.75 to 3.99 24.42% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.37% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.01% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.37% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 5.32% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.55% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.14% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

ONU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Ohio Northern University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 12% of students submitted SAT scores and 47% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1160-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT 

12%
SAT Scores for Ohio Northern University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 590
Composite 25th Percentile 1160
SAT Scores for Ohio Northern University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 680
Composite 75th Percentile 1340
Average SAT Score 1250

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at ONU is 1250 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1160-1340. Students who get into Ohio Northern University score in the top 31 percent of all SAT test takers..  ONU ranks #11 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1250 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. ONU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1160 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1160, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1070, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Ohio Northern University 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 1250 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 1250, you have around a 54% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 69% chance of getting in.

Ohio Northern University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1340 and Above Good >69%
1250 to 1340 Avg + 54%-69%
1160 to 1250 Avg - 38%-54%
1070 to 1160 Reach 25%-38%
Less than 1070 Low <25%
Calculate My Chances 

ONU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

47%
ACT Scores for Ohio Northern University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for Ohio Northern University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to ONU is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 30.  The school ranks #10 in Ohio for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

47 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Ohio Northern University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Ohio Northern University 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 ONU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 54% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 72% with a 30 ACT score.

Ohio Northern University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >72%
27 to 30 Avg + 54%-72%
25 to 27 Avg - 41%-54%
23 to 25 Reach 30%-41%
Less than 23 Low <30%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Ohio Northern University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,293 3,332 6,625
Accepted 1,934 1,668 3,602
Acceptance Rate 59% 50% 54%
Enrolled 308 358 666
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 21% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

265

Applicants have 265 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Ohio Northern University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

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

Ohio Northern University 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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because ONU is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.78 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1250 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1340 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 27 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Ohio Northern University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=204635 IPEDS survey data for Ohio Northern University.

Last updated February 24, 2024