Cleveland Institute of Art SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
With a 61% admit rate, Cleveland Institute of Art is accessible for many prepared applicants, so your strategy should be to show clear fit through your portfolio and grades. If you submit scores, aim near or above 1280 SAT or 29 ACT to place yourself at the top of the reported range.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Cleveland Institute of Art facts and stats
Cleveland Institute of Art enrolls 545 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. Its freshman retention rate is 88%, above the national average of roughly 70%, indicating many first-year students return for their second year. The school has a 58% six-year graduation rate, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1.
Cleveland, OH
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Key Cleveland Institute of Art application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
Not offered
Early Action
December 1
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
March 15
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
Because Cleveland Institute of Art is test-optional, follow this timeline only if you choose to submit SAT or ACT scores. Take your first test by spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and the fall for retakes; for the December 1 Early Action deadline, an October retake is the last safe fall sitting to have scores arrive in time.
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What you'll actually pay
Cleveland Institute of Art is a private not-for-profit, so the same rate applies to all students. Tuition and fees are $48,700, and 86% of students receive aid, with an average merit award of $20,850. Submit the FAFSA by the March 15 priority deadline for financial aid consideration.
At Cleveland Institute of Art, tuition and fees plus room and board total about $66,180 per year before aid. Aid is common, with 86% of students receiving assistance. The average aid package is $33,186, and the average merit award is $20,850. Students graduate with average debt of $9,881.
Student life at Cleveland Institute of Art
55% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 1% of men join fraternities, and 1% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OHAcceptance rate: 32.2%
Ashland University
Ashland, OHAcceptance rate: 76.4%
SAT: 1050–1280
ACT: 20–25
ETI Technical College of Niles
Niles, OHAcceptance rate: 100%
Baldwin Wallace University
Berea, OHAcceptance rate: 75.7%
SAT: 1068–1263
ACT: 22–28
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