Getting in
For Fall 2025, 33,750 first-year students applied to Cincinnati, 29,715 were admitted and 6,497 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 88%.
Source: University of Cincinnati Common Data Set 2025-2026 (Clifton campus) (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table totals. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 19,700 | 17,820 | 90.5% |
| Out-of-state | 11,319 | 9,621 | 85% |
| International | 2,731 | 2,274 | 83.3% |
Source: University of Cincinnati Common Data Set 2025-2026 (Clifton campus) (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. UC's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the Uptown campus, with no rate by college or major. Some majors fill and close to first-year applicants before the March 1 deadline.
Source: University of Cincinnati Common Data Set 2025-2026 (Clifton campus) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early action. UC has no early decision plan. Its Common Data Set reports no early action plan and no early counts, though the admissions site describes a nonbinding Early Action deadline of November 1, so there is no early acceptance rate.
Source: University of Cincinnati Common Data Set 2025-2026 (Clifton campus) (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
These colleges often get more applicants than they have room for and usually close on or soon after November 1, so UC recommends applying by Early Action:
- College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Pre-screening materials are encouraged by November 15, and invited applicants have a final audition or interview. Decisions come from the end of February.
Source: UC Admissions, Admission Decision Process and Timeline (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- College of Nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing has a priority application deadline of November 1.
- Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP); Engineering and Applied Science; Medicine; Lindner College of Business. Applications after November 1 are considered only as space allows.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
140 majors across 9 schools. Every bachelor's degree program UC Admissions lists for the Uptown campus in its official program finder, grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree code UC gives. Concentrations within a major are folded into the major. Associate degrees, regional-campus and online-only programs, minors, certificates and graduate programs are left out.
Carl H. Lindner College of Business14
Lindner programs often fill and usually close on or soon after the November 1 Early Action deadline; UC recommends applying by then.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Accounting (BBA)
- Business Analytics (BS)
- Business Economics (BBA)
- Economics (BA)
- Entrepreneurship (BBA)
- Fashion Business (BS)
- Finance (BBA)
- Industrial Management (BSIM)
- Information Systems (BBA)
- Insurance and Risk Management (BBA)
- International Business (BBA)
- Marketing (BBA)
- Operations Management (BBA)
- Real Estate (BBA)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Allied Health Sciences6
- Advanced Medical Imaging Technology (BS)
- Health Sciences (BSHS)
- Medical Laboratory Science (BS)
- Nutrition and Dietetics (BS)
- Social Work (BSW)
- Speech-Language Hearing Sciences (BS)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Arts and Sciences47
- Africana Studies (BA)
- Anthropology (BA)
- Arabic Language and Culture (BA)
- Archaeology (BA)
- Asian Studies (BA)
- Biochemistry (BS)
- Biological Sciences (BA)
- Biological Sciences (BS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Chemistry-ACS (BS)
- Classical Civilization (BA)
- Classics (BA)
- Communication (BA)
- Digital Media (BA)
- English (BA)
- Environmental Studies (BA)
- Environmental Studies (BS)
- Film and Media Studies (BA)
- French (BA)
- Geography (BA)
- Geography (BS)
- Geosciences (BS)
- Geosciences (BA)
- History (BA)
- Interdisciplinary (BIS)
- International Affairs (BA)
- Journalism (BA)
- Judaic Studies (BA)
- Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino/a/x Studies (BA)
- Liberal Arts (BA)
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Neuroscience (BS)
- Organizational Leadership (BA)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Physics (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Physics Astrophysics (BS)
- Political Science (BA)
- Psychology (BA)
- Psychology (BS)
- Public Relations (BA)
- Social Justice (BA)
- Sociology (BA)
- Spanish (BA)
- Statistics (BS)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning11
DAAP programs often fill and usually close on or soon after the November 1 Early Action deadline; UC recommends applying by then.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Architecture (BSARCH)
- Art History (BAARTHIS)
- Communication Design (BSDES)
- Fashion Design (BSDES)
- Fine Arts - Art (BFA)
- Games and Animation (BFA)
- Horticulture (BS)
- Industrial Design (BSDES)
- Interior Design (BSID)
- Urban Planning (BUP)
- Urban Studies (BS)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services12
- Criminal Justice (BS)
- Cybersecurity (BS)
- Early Childhood Education (BSED)
- Elementary Education (BSED)
- Exercise Science (BS)
- Human Development & Community Engagement (BS)
- Information Technology (BSIT)
- Middle Childhood Education (BSED)
- Secondary Education (BSED)
- Software Application Development (BS)
- Special Education (BSED)
- Sport Administration (BS)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Engineering & Applied Science16
Engineering programs often fill and usually close on or soon after the November 1 Early Action deadline; UC recommends applying by then.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Aerospace Engineering (BSAEROE)
- Architectural Engineering (BSAE)
- Biomedical Engineering (BSBME)
- Chemical Engineering (BSCHE)
- Civil Engineering (BSCE)
- Computer Engineering (BSCOMPE)
- Computer Science (BSCS)
- Construction Management (BSCM)
- Cybersecurity Engineering (BSCYBR)
- Electrical Engineering (BSEE)
- Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET)
- Environmental Engineering (BSEVE)
- Fire Science (BSFSET)
- Industrial and Systems Engineering (BSISE)
- Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
- Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSMET)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Medicine2
College of Medicine programs often fill and usually close on or soon after the November 1 Early Action deadline; UC recommends applying by then.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Medical Sciences (BS)
- Public Health (BS)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Nursing1
Nursing often fills and usually closes on or soon after November 1, the BSN priority deadline; UC recommends applying by Early Action.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College-Conservatory of Music31
CCM programs often fill and usually close on or soon after the November 1 Early Action deadline; UC recommends applying by then. Pre-screening materials are encouraged by November 15.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Acting (BFA)
- Ballet (BFA)
- Bassoon (BM)
- Clarinet (BM)
- Classical Guitar (BM)
- Commercial Music Production (BM)
- Composition (BM)
- Double Bass (BM)
- Euphonium (BM)
- Flute (BM)
- French Horn (BM)
- Harp (BM)
- Harpsichord (BM)
- Jazz Studies (BM)
- Media Production (BFA)
- Music (BA)
- Music Education (BM)
- Musical Theater (BFA)
- Oboe (BM)
- Organ (BM)
- Percussion (BM)
- Piano (BM)
- Saxophone (BM)
- Theater Design and Production (BFA)
- Trombone (BM)
- Trumpet (BM)
- Tuba (BM)
- Viola (BM)
- Violin (BM)
- Violoncello (BM)
- Voice (BM)
Source: UC Admissions, Majors and Programs (Uptown Campus, bachelor's) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | Cincinnati Decision Day, the second Wednesday in December | No |
| Rolling admission | March 1 | On a rolling basis after Cincinnati Decision Day | No |
Apply by Early Action to be considered for the University Honors Program, merit scholarships and the most competitive programs. The confirmation deadline is May 1.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Action is nonbinding. UC has no early decision plan and no binding agreement with applicants.
Source: UC Admissions, High School Student FAQs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
UC is test-optional for first-year applicants: every program considers you with or without an ACT or SAT score, and an application without a score is reviewed the same way as one with a score. If you want scores considered, they must come on an official report from ACT or the College Board; scores you report yourself, or scores on your transcript, are not used. Without scores, you are still considered for scholarships if you apply by the November 1 Early Action deadline.
Source: UC Admissions, Test-Optional FAQ (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by November 1.
Source: University of Cincinnati Common Data Set 2025-2026 (Clifton campus) (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked Cincinnati's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: UC Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at Cincinnati, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Uptown campus, 2026-27 cohort) | $14,824 | $30,158 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $16,511 | $16,511 |
| Books and course materials | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Transportation | $2,038 | $3,038 |
| Miscellaneous | $3,386 | $3,386 |
| Computer (first year) | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Other costs in UC's budget, not itemized on its page | $2,217 | $2,217 |
| Total | $43,276 | $59,610 |
UC budgets $43,276 for a new on-campus Ohio resident; the items it lists add to $41,059, and the last line is the difference. The out-of-state total adds UC's nonresident tuition and transportation to that budget.
Source: UC Student Financial Aid, UC Costs 2026-27 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $17,974 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $18,092 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $22,492 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $27,596 |
| Over $110,000 | $29,616 |
| All incomes | $25,648 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from UC's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to University of Cincinnati on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Ohio UniversityAthens, OH · Public85% admitted$21,637 average net price
Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · Public85.5% admitted$19,398 average net price
Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, OH · Public81.3% admitted$24,022 average net price
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · Public85.3% admitted$15,273 average net price
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI · Public83.6% admitted$12,766 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.