Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Columbus, Ohio
85.3% Acceptance Rate
Ohio Dominican University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
85.3%Acceptance Rate
3.32Avg GPA
1150Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$45,660Annual Cost
$51,748Grad Salary
39%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
85.3%
Avg GPA
3.32
Avg SAT
1150
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1110–1180
ACT Middle 50%
20–28
Need-Based Aid
39% receive Pell
Ohio Dominican University Ohio Dominican University, founded in 1911 in Columbus, is a private Catholic university sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The 75-acre campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs rooted in the Dominican tradition of truth-seeking. ODU maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and is particularly known for its strong programs in education, business, and theology. Campus features include the new Science Center and the Bishop James A. Griffin Student Center. The university's athletic teams, the Panthers, compete in NCAA Division II.
ODU takes pride in its commitment to integrating faith and reason across all disciplines. Campus life includes service-learning opportunities and student organizations focused on spiritual growth. The university has expanded its STEM offerings while maintaining strong programs in traditional disciplines. Recent initiatives include the Center for Dominican Studies and upgraded technology infrastructure. ODU's combination of academic programs, Catholic values, and Columbus location creates a transformative educational experience focused on truth, justice, and compassion.
Ohio Dominican University Acceptance Rate
Ohio Dominican University (ODU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 85.3% 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 — 85.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.32 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.12 – 3.31
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.87
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Ohio Dominican University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Ohio Dominican University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 112 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
ODU 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.
Early Action
December 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
ODU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at ODU is 3.32. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.02–3.32 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 3.52–3.72.ODU 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
3.32 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.12 – 3.31
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.92 – 3.11
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.91
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee and no essay required for general undergraduate admission; reported acceptance rate is roughly moderate (~52% per one third-party source, though this can vary)
- PA Early Assurance Program offers qualified high school seniors guaranteed entry into ODU's competitive MS in PA Studies program (~50 seats/cohort) in as few as 6 combined years; priority deadline is typically mid-December
- Med School Early Assurance Program with Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine waives the MCAT and creates an 8-year path to a DO, contingent on maintaining a 3.7 overall/3.6 science GPA and a 500+ mock MCAT score
- Structured pre-nursing partnerships exist with Mount Carmel College of Nursing and Xavier University College of Nursing for students who don't major in nursing directly at ODU
- 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 ODU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Ohio Dominican University's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Ohio Dominican University (ODU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if ODU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into ODU Without SAT or ACT?
ODU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Ohio Dominican University Average SAT Score: 1150
The average SAT score of admitted students at Ohio Dominican University is 1150 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1150 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1180 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Ohio Dominican University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1110, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at ODU. 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1150 | 1110 | 1180 |
Below 1110, you're behind most admitted students; at 1180 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 1150
Can I get into Ohio Dominican University (ODU) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of ODU'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.
Ohio Dominican University (ODU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at ODU is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 22 | 16 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 28 |
Can I get into Ohio Dominican University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of ODU'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 ODU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ODU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
ODU takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply to the PA Early Assurance Program as a high school senior, not later
ODU guarantees qualified high schoolers a seat in its highly competitive Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program (only ~50 students admitted per cohort normally) through a separate Early Assurance application submitted alongside general admission - priority deadline is typically mid-December. Start recommendation letters early since they can take several weeks, and remember you must be admitted to ODU itself and separately accepted into the EAP track.
Use the Med School Early Assurance Program to skip the MCAT entirely
ODU's partnership with Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine lets you earn a DO in as few as 8 years combined and waives the MCAT - but it requires maintaining a 3.7 overall GPA (3.6 in science) and clearing a mock MCAT benchmark of 500 along with shadowing and community-service hours. Build your course load and extracurricular record toward these specific numeric checkpoints starting freshman year, not junior year, since falling short at any checkpoint can end eligibility.
Redirect effort away from the essay you don't need to write
ODU requires no essay and no application fee for general undergraduate admission - don't spend prep time drafting a personal statement nobody will read. Instead, put that time into the separate, genuinely competitive applications (PA EAP, Med School EAP) or into securing letters of recommendation and shadowing hours for those specific pipeline programs, since that's where real differentiation happens here.
Declare your pre-health or pre-nursing pipeline early to lock in the right advisor
If nursing is your goal, ODU has structured pre-nursing partnership pathways with Mount Carmel College of Nursing and Xavier University College of Nursing rather than a nursing major of its own - tell your advisor which partner school you're targeting as a freshman so your general education and prerequisite sequencing matches that specific partner's entry requirements, not a generic pre-health track.
Expert Insight:
Students often assume the PA and Med School Early Assurance programs are something you apply to later, closer to graduation. Both actually require a separate application submitted around the same time as general admission, with an early priority deadline (mid-December for PA EAP) that most students aren't thinking about as high school seniors - missing that window means falling back to the standard CASPA/AMCAS process later with no guarantee and far more competition.
ODU Profile
Full Name
Ohio Dominican University (ODU)
City
Columbus
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
43219
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a ODU Degree Worth It?
ODU 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 $65,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.82%.
How much does a degree from ODU Cost?
The sticker price is $45,660/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
39% of students receive a Pell Grant and 61.4% take federal loans at ODU. File your FAFSA early and list ODU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a ODU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $51,748. That's about 27% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Ohio Dominican University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Ohio Dominican University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Ohio Dominican University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at ODU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About ODU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Ohio Dominican University run about $51,748 a year.
Ohio Dominican University costs roughly $45,660 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 39.0% receive a Pell Grant at Ohio Dominican University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 85.3%, Ohio Dominican University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Ohio Dominican University average a 3.32 GPA.
Ohio Dominican University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.02 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.92, Ohio Dominican University 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 Ohio Dominican University — aim above 1150, ideally within the 1110–1180 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Ohio Dominican University is December 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
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.