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Capital University

#439 in US ranking Columbus, OH
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Capital University award
Capital University award

Cost

Cost / year
$57,739
Tuition & fees
$44,304
Avg. aid
$30,746
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
70%
SAT range
910–1180
ACT range
18–25

Outcomes

Graduation rate
60%
Median salary
$45,220
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Capital University?

Capital University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from any specialized accreditation or approval attached to a particular program.

That distinction matters most in fields with licensure or professional-entry rules, including nursing, teacher preparation, law, and ministry. Applicants should check the current approval or accreditation of the specific program they intend to enter and the requirements of the state where they plan to work. Institutional accreditation can support eligibility for federal financial aid, but it does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular course for transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.

What are the admission requirements at Capital University?

First-year applicants to Capital University apply with evidence of secondary-school completion or an equivalent credential and a record of their academic work. Admission is selective rather than open: the reported first-year acceptance rate is approximately 70%.

Reported admissions criteria place weight on high school GPA. SAT and ACT scores may be considered but are not required under the reported test-optional policy; an applicant who does not submit scores should not interpret the median scores of test submitters as an admissions cutoff. Recommendations and class rank are not generally required. Applicants whose schooling was not conducted in English should review the university's English-proficiency requirements, which can involve TOEFL results.

Requirements can differ for transfer, international, nursing, music, graduate, law, and seminary applicants. An audition, prerequisite coursework, or another departmental review may apply even when general university admission is available. Applicants should use the admissions instructions for their entry term and intended program rather than assume that an undergraduate checklist covers every category.

What are the application fees and waivers at Capital University?

Application charges should be checked for the specific Capital University application a student plans to submit. Undergraduate, graduate, law, and seminary applications can use different processes, and an enrollment deposit is not the same thing as an application fee.

If an application displays a charge, an applicant who needs a waiver should ask the relevant admissions office about eligibility and the waiver procedure before submitting payment. Students using a third-party application platform should also check whether its fee and waiver process differs from Capital's direct application.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Capital University?

Capital University students have reported access to Army ROTC on campus and Air Force ROTC through a cooperating host institution. Those arrangements are not interchangeable: participation through a host school can require travel for classes, training, or other activities.

Students interested in either branch should confirm the current enrollment arrangement with the ROTC unit and Capital's admissions or registrar staff before building a schedule. ROTC scholarships have separate application and eligibility rules. Participation and scholarship acceptance may also involve military service commitments; students should obtain the applicable written terms from the branch concerned.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Capital University?

Capital University accepts transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer admission and transfer-credit acceptance are separate decisions: being admitted does not mean every previous course will fulfill a Capital degree requirement.

Applicants should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended and to identify their intended major early. Capital reports accepting some examination-based credit, including CLEP subject examinations, but course equivalencies and limits require individual review. Students entering sequenced programs - particularly those with clinical, licensure, or audition requirements - should ask for a degree-specific transfer evaluation, not just a count of credits accepted. They should also check how many credits must be completed at Capital to earn the degree.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Capital University?

Capital University students can explore international study as part of an undergraduate degree, subject to program availability and academic approval. Depending on the opportunity, study abroad may involve a faculty-led experience or study arranged with an outside provider rather than a semester operated entirely by Capital.

The important questions are whether courses will count toward the student's major or general education requirements, how credits will appear on the transcript, and whether existing financial aid can be used. Students in tightly sequenced programs should seek approval before committing to travel or paying a provider, since a course that transfers as elective credit may not replace a required course.

Capital University Admissions Factors

SAT range
910–1180
4001600
ACT range
18–25
136
Acceptance rate
70%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
70%
Ohio
78%
US
78%

12% of admitted students enrolled (374 of 3,174)

Capital University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 4,520
Admission
Total: 3,174
Enrolled
Total: 374
Women
Men

How to Apply to Capital University

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Capital University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 338
Out-of-state: 32
International: 4

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 374
Transfer: 90

Capital University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1130

Median composite ACT score

23

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

26.83%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

11.78%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Neither required nor recommended

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Capital University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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