Admit rate has ranged 72%–74% over the last 5 years. 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.
Capital University, Ohio's oldest university nestled in Columbus, blends a liberal arts core with standout programs in nursing, business, and the arts. With a 70% acceptance rate and a tight-knit 10:1 student-faculty ratio, it offers a supportive, mid-sized campus where students dive into 100+ clubs and graduate with solid earning potential ($45,767 median salary at six years).
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
1,585
In-state tuition
$43,234
Out-of-state tuition
$43,234
Acceptance Rate
70-73%
Most Popular Major
Nursing
Student Organizations
100+
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
69%
Avg Need-Based Aid Award
$34,112
Median Salary (6 Years After)
$45,767
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$54,143
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$26,889
Graduation rate
60%
First-year retention
76%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
63%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
28%
Endowment / student
$88,740
Financial health
2.4 / 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$60,035
Computer Science$59,846
Accounting and Related Services$57,318
Business/Managerial Economics$49,683
Business Administration, Management and Operations$42,044
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.63
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
87
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
45.9"
Annual snow
19.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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
179
Scholarly works
26,911
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
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
15%
From bottom quintile
6%
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 Capital University?
Capital University's acceptance rate is approximately 70% (Columbus, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Capital University?
Admitted students at Capital University typically score 910–1180 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Capital University cost?
At Capital University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,576 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Capital University?
Capital University enrolls approximately 1,585 undergraduate students.
Where is Capital University located?
Capital University is located in Columbus, OH.
Admissions
Capital University maintains a 70-73% acceptance rate, making it accessible yet selective. The middle 50% of admitted students typically boast SAT scores between 900-1160 (or 1030-1210 per some sources) and ACT scores of 20-27, with an average high school GPA of 3.1-3.8. Test scores are optional, reflecting a holistic review process that weighs factors beyond metrics. Notably, the university emphasizes a supportive approach for out-of-state applicants, though no explicit quotas are mentioned.
Capital’s academic identity balances liberal arts foundations with professional programs. Its most popular major is Nursing, awarding 79 degrees annually, followed by specialized programs in and . Unique offerings include and , alongside robust undergraduate research opportunities (30% participation). The curriculum emphasizes and first-year experiences (70%). With a , small classes dominate, fostering close mentorship.
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.
$40,068
Marketing$39,801
Special Education and Teaching$36,560
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.
Life at Capital revolves around its inclusive, engaged community. Students choose from 100+ organizations, including Greek life, arts groups, and activism clubs. The university actively promotes campus involvement, with resources like the Writing Center and Career Development woven into daily life. Residential life and frequent events—from performances to volunteer initiatives—create a vibrant, supportive atmosphere. As one Facebook post notes, faculty and students collaborate to offer 'opportunities for growth' through hands-on experiences.
Capital graduates see steady outcomes: a 69% six-year graduation rate and a median salary of $45,767 six years post-degree. Early-career earnings average $36,427 one year out, with strong retention (76% of students return after their first year). The university tracks graduate program success separately, including for its MBA and Education MA, though specific rates aren’t publicly detailed. These figures suggest a return on investment that aligns with regional norms.
Tuition runs $45,100 annually for full-time undergraduates, but 82% of first-years receive need-based aid, averaging $34,112 per recipient. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests many students pay closer to $22,480 after aid. Scholarships like the Main Street Scholarship help bridge gaps, and the university outlines clear payment strategies to manage costs. Notably, 77.57% of students benefit from financial aid packages averaging $35,232, softening the sticker shock.
Capital distinguishes itself through niche strengths in nursing and legal studies, paired with a tight-knit, activity-rich campus. Its optional-test admissions and robust aid make it accessible, while outcomes like its 69% graduation rate (above the national average for similar institutions) validate its academic support. The blend of liberal arts rigor and pre-professional focus—plus Columbus’s urban opportunities—creates a practical yet exploratory college experience.
Capital University logo · sourceMaps and Locations | Capital University, Columbus Ohio · sourceReligious and Spiritual | Capital University, Columbus Ohio · sourceVisit Capital · source
.jpg?width=1600)
