Admit rate has ranged 70%–81% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Ashland University is a mid-sized private university in Ohio that combines accessibility (an 80% acceptance rate) with strong outcomes (91% of graduates employed or in grad school within six months). Known for its business and communications programs, AU offers a tight-knit campus culture rooted in small-town values and hands-on learning.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
High school transcript
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,199
In-state tuition
$31,210
Out-of-state tuition
$31,210
Top Majors
Business, Communications, Health Professions
Acceptance Rate
80-81%
On-Campus Housing
59%
Student-Faculty Ratio
15:1
6-Month Job/Grad School Rate
91%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$52,928
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
61%
First-year retention
77%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
68%
Pell (lower-income) share
69%
First-generation share
41%
Endowment / student
$32,476
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$56,513
Finance and Financial Management Services$51,607
Business Administration, Management and Operations$51,482
Marketing$40,281
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$38,289
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.91
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
97
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
25°F
Annual rain
41"
Annual snow
28.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
86
Scholarly works
1,608
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
12%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Ashland University?
Ashland University's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (Ashland, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Ashland University?
Admitted students at Ashland University typically score 1035–1208 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Ashland University cost?
At Ashland University, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,988 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Ashland University?
Ashland University enrolls approximately 2,199 undergraduate students.
Where is Ashland University located?
Ashland University is located in Ashland, OH.
Admissions
Ashland University maintains an 80-81% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants who meet basic requirements. The school recommends (but doesn't require) a college-prep high school curriculum and expects a minimum 2.5 GPA for traditional admission. Middle 50% test scores fall between 1050-1280 SAT or 18-22 ACT, though some programs like nursing require higher benchmarks (3.5 GPA or 3.0 GPA + 20 ACT). Notably, 52% of admitted students receive financial aid, with average packages around $27,843.
With 60+ majors, Ashland leans heavily into , though health professions are growing. The supports personalized attention, and the university emphasizes vocation-focused education—91% of graduates land jobs or pursue advanced degrees within six months. Programs range from associate to doctoral levels, with particularly strong undergraduate offerings in education and theology.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$37,568
Political Science and Government$35,518
History$35,274
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
business (15% of degrees) and communications/journalism (35%)
A 59% on-campus housing rate fosters community at this Ohio campus, where small-town vibes dominate (Ashland's population: ~20,000). Over 50 student orgs span academic clubs, faith groups, and performance troupes. The university leans into its Christian heritage (founded by Brethren Church leaders) while promoting diversity initiatives. TikTok campus tours highlight cozy study nooks and communal spaces that embody AU's 'friendly people, pleasant atmosphere' ethos.
Ashland's 59-61% graduation rate outpaces many regional peers, with alumni earning $53K one year post-graduation (rising to $56K after five years)—30% above the national median for high school grads. A 2025 Money magazine ranking highlighted strong outcomes for Pell Grant recipients. Notably, JP Morgan data shows AU grads nearly double the earnings of those with only high school diplomas ($73K vs. $39K).
After aid, the average net price drops to $21,971—78% of first-years receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. averaging $25,410. Merit scholarships range from $2K to $11K (requiring a 2.5+ GPA). The university's Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator factors in Ohio-specific grants, making AU competitive with public schools for in-state students. Total Cost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid.—including living expenses—typically lands below the national private college average.
Ashland punches above its weight with career-focused programs that deliver strong ROI—graduates earn median salaries comparable to elite liberal arts colleges. The 80% acceptance rate belies rigorous outcomes: near-universal job placement and earnings that outpace 70% of Ohio schools. Its secret? A hands-on curriculum steeped in Midwest work ethic, wrapped in a community where professors know students by name. For budget-conscious students seeking small classes without cutthroat competition, AU is a hidden gem.
Ashland University logo · sourceAshland University Campus Map and Directions | Ashland · sourceAshland University Campus Map and Directions | Ashland · sourceAbout Ashland University | Ashland · source
