Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Ottawa, Kansas
80% Acceptance Rate
Ottawa University-Ottawa — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
80%Acceptance Rate
3.12Avg GPA
1011Avg SAT
19Avg ACT
$51,340Annual Cost
$55,552Grad Salary
35.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
80%
Avg GPA
3.12
Avg SAT
1011
Avg ACT
19
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
880–1140
ACT Middle 50%
16–21
Need-Based Aid
35.3% receive Pell
Ottawa University-Ottawa is the historic residential campus of this Presbyterian-affiliated university system. The campus offers a traditional liberal arts education with strong programs in education, business, and ministry.
The 64-acre Kansas campus includes the historic Tauy Jones Hall, the Gangwish Gibson Library, and the Gibson Student Center. Ottawa emphasizes leadership development through its residential college experience and small class sizes.
Ottawa University-Ottawa Acceptance Rate
Ottawa University-Ottawa (OUKS - Ottawa) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 80% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 80% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.12 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.92 – 3.11
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.67
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Ottawa University-Ottawa Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Ottawa University-Ottawa follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
OUKS - Ottawa reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
OUKS - Ottawa GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at OUKS - Ottawa is 3.12. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.82–3.12 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.32–3.52.OUKS - Ottawa GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.12 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.92 – 3.11
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.72 – 2.91
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.71
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Verified members of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma receive full tuition, fees, and room/board (if on campus) under a 2008 agreement renewed "in perpetuity," reflecting the university's 1865 founding on land the tribe donated
- Presidential, Provost, and Dean scholarships are awarded only through the invitation-based Scholars Program Competition (portfolio, essay, and interviews with university leadership) - not automatically upon admission
- Scholars Program members carry binding ongoing obligations after being awarded: campus housing, 30 credit hours/year, 3.0+ GPA, ~15 hours/week of tutoring/experiential learning, and an annual published journal contribution
- Smaller stackable awards (Alumni, Sibling, First Generation, American Baptist Church, Regional Church) can combine with a major scholarship but require direct inquiry with an admissions recruiter to be applied
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at OUKS - Ottawa
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Ottawa University-Ottawa's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Ottawa University-Ottawa (OUKS - Ottawa) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if OUKS - Ottawa is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into OUKS - Ottawa Without SAT or ACT?
OUKS - Ottawa considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Ottawa University-Ottawa Average SAT Score: 1011
The average SAT score of admitted students at Ottawa University-Ottawa is 1011 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1011 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1140 SAT or 21 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Ottawa University-Ottawa allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 880, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at OUKS - Ottawa. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 485 | 420 | 550 |
| SAT Reading | 525 | 460 | 590 |
| SAT Composite | 1011 | 880 | 1140 |
Below 880, you're behind most admitted students; at 1140 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Ottawa University-Ottawa (OUKS - Ottawa) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of OUKS - Ottawa's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Ottawa University-Ottawa (OUKS - Ottawa) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at OUKS - Ottawa is 19.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 19 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT English | 18 | 14 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 16 | 21 |
Can I get into Ottawa University-Ottawa with a 21 ACT?
A 21 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of OUKS - Ottawa's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at OUKS - Ottawa.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for OUKS - Ottawa
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
OUKS - Ottawa takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Verified Ottawa Tribe members should apply for the Ottawa Indian Award immediately
This award covers full tuition, fees, and room/board (if living on campus), under a 2008 agreement between the university and the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma renewed "in perpetuity" - a direct continuation of the tribe's role in founding the university in 1865. Eligible students must submit a BIA Higher Education Scholarship application along with tribal-office-verified documentation of membership; this is a distinct award that won't be applied automatically without that paperwork.
Actively request Scholars Program consideration - it isn't automatic
Presidential (full-tuition), Provost (80% tuition), and Dean (60% tuition) scholarships are awarded only through the invitation-based Scholars Program Competition, not simply upon admission. Qualifying requires a 24+ ACT with a 3.5+ GPA or top-third class rank (or a 3.7+ GPA and top-third rank without the ACT threshold), followed by a portfolio submission (transcript, activities summary, two letters of recommendation, up to three graded work samples), an on-campus essay, and interviews with the university president, administrators, faculty, and students. Request consideration explicitly through your admissions recruiter well before the portfolio deadline.
Understand the real workload before accepting a Scholars Program award
Winning Presidential, Provost, or Dean status comes with binding ongoing requirements: living in university housing, 30 credit hours and a 3.0+ GPA per year, roughly 15 hours per week of assigned tutoring and experiential learning, contributing to an annually published academic journal, and a mandatory summer mentor course. Talk to a current Scholars Program member before accepting - this functions like a paid fellowship with real weekly obligations layered on top of a full course load, not a passive scholarship.
Ask specifically about the smaller, stackable awards
Alumni Award ($1,000/year for children or grandchildren of OU graduates), Sibling Award ($1,000/year for concurrently enrolled siblings), First Generation Award ($500/year), and American Baptist Church Awards ($1,000/year, plus an additional Regional award for Central Region or Rocky Mountain Region church members) can all combine with a major academic scholarship. These aren't always surfaced automatically - ask your admissions recruiter directly which ones apply to your background.
Expert Insight:
A recurring and understandable point of confusion is conflating this Ottawa University - a small Baptist-affiliated liberal arts college in Ottawa, Kansas - with the much larger University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. The two are entirely unrelated institutions with different admissions processes, scholarships, and academic cultures. Before relying on any scholarship or admissions detail you find online, confirm it specifically references "Ottawa University," "OUKS," or "Ottawa, Kansas" rather than "University of Ottawa."
OUKS - Ottawa Profile
Full Name
Ottawa University-Ottawa (OUKS - Ottawa)
City
Ottawa
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
66067-3399
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a OUKS - Ottawa Degree Worth It?
OUKS - Ottawa offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $65,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.04%.
How much does a degree from OUKS - Ottawa Cost?
The sticker price is $51,340/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
35.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 85.4% take federal loans at OUKS - Ottawa. File your FAFSA early and list OUKS - Ottawa as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a OUKS - Ottawa Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $55,552. That's about 37% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Ottawa University-Ottawa. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
| Life University | Marietta, GA | 994 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Ottawa University-Ottawa. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Ottawa University-Ottawa. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
Degree Programs at OUKS - Ottawa
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About OUKS - Ottawa Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Ottawa University-Ottawa run about $55,552 a year.
At about $51,340 a year, Ottawa University-Ottawa's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 35.3% receive a Pell Grant at Ottawa University-Ottawa. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 80%, Ottawa University-Ottawa's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Ottawa University-Ottawa average a 3.12 GPA.
Ottawa University-Ottawa doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.82 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.72, Ottawa University-Ottawa becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Ottawa University-Ottawa — aim above 1011, ideally within the 880–1140 range admitted students typically fall in.
Ottawa University-Ottawa follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.