Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at OWU

55.58%

Applicants - since 2015

-19.23%

Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate at OWU over the past 10 years is 65.49%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 55.60%. Compared to the previous year, it became easier to gain admission to OWU in 2025.

The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 14.69%, and the 2025 yield is 12.65%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 14.09% from 2015 to 2025.

The number of OWU applicants increased by 7.64% (436 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 55.58% overall.

Key Takeaways: OWU Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 55.60%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that OWU has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 12.65%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at OWU. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

For the 2025 admission cycle, OWU received approximately 6,144 applications, admitted 3,416 students, and enrolled 432 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that OWU is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.

Acceptance Rate Changes

OWU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at OWU over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 65.49%, while the most recent rate stands at 55.60%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.

For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 55.60%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 60.33% and for women is 70.57%.

The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at OWU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 74.83% 72.02% 77.78%
2016-17 71.55%
-3.28%
69.28%
-2.75%
73.79%
-3.99%
2017-18 71.39%
-0.16%
67.31%
-1.97%
75.09%
1.31%
2018-19 68.99%
-2.40%
64.60%
-2.71%
73.27%
-1.82%
2019-20 67.30%
-1.69%
60.85%
-3.75%
73.43%
0.16%
2020-21 68.40%
1.10%
63.12%
2.26%
73.49%
0.06%
2021-22 73.99%
5.59%
69.01%
5.90%
77.98%
4.49%
2022-23 52.18%
-21.81%
46.21%
-22.81%
58.04%
-19.94%
2023-24 50.67%
-1.51%
43.70%
-2.50%
58.20%
0.16%
2024-25 55.60%
4.93%
47.20%
3.50%
64.64%
6.45%
Average 65.49% 60.33% 70.57%
Ohio Wesleyan University Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

OWU has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 14.72% in 2015 to 12.65% in 2025, representing a 14.09% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 14.69%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.

The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at OWU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 14.09% over this period.

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 14.72% 15.31% 14.15%
2016-17 16.58%
1.86%
18.01%
2.70%
15.25%
1.10%
2017-18 15.08%
-1.49%
15.64%
-2.37%
14.63%
-0.62%
2018-19 13.96%
-1.13%
13.40%
-2.24%
14.43%
-0.20%
2019-20 13.92%
-0.04%
13.86%
0.46%
13.97%
-0.47%
2020-21 14.87%
0.95%
15.32%
1.46%
14.50%
0.53%
2021-22 13.99%
-0.88%
13.97%
-1.35%
15.01%
0.51%
2022-23 16.31%
2.31%
16.50%
2.54%
16.15%
1.14%
2023-24 14.80%
-1.51%
13.99%
-2.51%
15.31%
-0.84%
2024-25 12.65%
-2.15%
12.81%
-1.18%
12.53%
-2.79%
Average 14.69% 14.88% 14.59%
Ohio Wesleyan University enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 4,600, the average number of admitted is 2,949, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 432.

The number of OWU applicants increased by 7.64% (436 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 55.58% overall.

The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Ohio Wesleyan University from 2015 to 2025.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
2015-16 3,949 2,955 435
2016-17 4,123
4.41%
2,950
-0.17%
489
12.41%
2017-18 4,160
0.90%
2,970
0.68%
448
-8.38%
2018-19 4,705
13.10%
3,246
9.29%
453
1.12%
2019-20 4,281
-9.01%
2,881
-11.24%
401
-11.48%
2020-21 3,962
-7.45%
2,710
-5.94%
403
0.50%
2021-22 3,641
-8.10%
2,694
-0.59%
377
-6.45%
2022-23 5,324
46.22%
2,778
3.12%
453
20.16%
2023-24 5,708
7.21%
2,892
4.10%
428
-5.52%
2024-25 6,144
7.64%
3,416
18.12%
432
0.93%
Average 4,600 2,949 432
Ohio Wesleyan University - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares Ohio Wesleyan University' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
Ohio Wesleyan University50.67%55.60%9.73%
Case Western Reserve University36.54%28.68%27.41%
University of Dayton65.45%61.65%6.16%
Franklin University---
Cedarville University65.29%62.82%3.93%
Xavier University86.41%87.73%-1.50%

Ratings & Review

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