ONU Admission Requirements

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Ada, OH
0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

ONU Admission Overview

ONU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year ONU admitted 74.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.78 GPA (A-) and SAT 1175-1400 / ACT 24-29. ONU 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

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

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

ONU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

74.4%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The ONU acceptance rate is 74.4%. Last year, 3,452 of 4,640 applicants were admitted. That is the 30th lowest acceptance rate in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

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

ONU 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. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Ohio Northern University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.78. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

ONU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.78

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.78

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at ONU typically have around a 3.78 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. ONU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

34% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #5 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 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 Ohio Northern University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

ONU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1175-1400

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 585
Math 590
Composite 1175

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 690
Math 710
Composite 1400

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at ONU typically score around a 1290 SAT (middle 50% 1175–1400) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 87th percentile nationally. ONU ranks #9 in the state of Ohio and #214 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1175 to 1400

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

ONU 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 1290 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 Ohio Northern University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1400+	Above 75th	>84%
1290 to 1400	Avg +	74%-84%
1175 to 1290	Avg -	60%-74%
Below 1175	Below mid-50	<60%

What do these figures mean?

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

ONU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

24-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

41%

25th Percentile Scores

English 22
Math 24
Composite 24

75th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 29
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at ONU typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 24–29) 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. ONU places #13 among colleges in Ohio for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to ONU 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 Ohio Northern University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>86%
26 to 29	Avg +	74%-86%
24 to 26	Avg -	63%-74%
Below 24	Below mid-50	<63%

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 ONU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Ohio Northern University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,378	2,262	4,640
Accepted	1,670	1,782	3,452
Acceptance Rate	70%	79%	74%
Enrolled	305	381	686
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	18%	21%	20%

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

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
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	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

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

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

349

Applicants have 349 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Ohio Northern University 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 Ohio Northern University
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

ONU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 74.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.78 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1175-1400); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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