Case Western Reserve University admits approximately 28.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 25 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Case Western in the Selective (25-50%) tier, making it moderately competitive but more accessible than elite institutions. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights Case Western's selectivity relative to typical four-year institutions, with the university being 41.9 percentage points more selective than its peers. This level of selectivity means that academically qualified students have reasonable admission prospects, though strong preparation remains essential. Students should expect competition from other high-achieving applicants, particularly in popular programs like engineering and computer science. Case Western's selectivity reflects its academic quality and outcomes rather than artificial scarcity, as the university maintains substantial enrollment across its programs. The 28.7% admission rate suggests that well-prepared students with strong academic records, meaningful extracurriculars, and clear fit with the university's technical and pre-professional focus have solid admission chances. For application strategy, students should treat Case Western as a target school if their academic profile aligns with admitted student characteristics, while maintaining both reach and safety options in their college list.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Case Western Reserve University demonstrate exceptional academic preparation across standardized testing measures. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1430 at the 25th percentile to 1540 at the 75th percentile, with a median of 1501. This means most admitted students score between 1430 and 1540, representing among the highest academic preparation we track. The SAT Math range spans 730-790, while SAT Verbal ranges from 700-750, indicating consistently strong performance across both sections. ACT scores range from 32 at the 25th percentile to 35 at the 75th percentile, with a median of 34, placing enrolled students well above national averages. Case Western's test score ranges significantly exceed peer medians, with SAT scores 245 points higher and ACT scores 7 points higher than comparable institutions. These ranges represent enrolled students rather than all admitted students, meaning some admitted students score outside these ranges. Students scoring below the 25th percentile (1430 SAT, 32 ACT) face greater competitive disadvantage but remain viable candidates, particularly with strong fit and preparation in other areas. Students scoring within the middle 50% ranges demonstrate academic competitiveness for admission. Those scoring above the 75th percentile strengthen their application profile but should remember that academic credentials alone do not guarantee admission given the holistic review process typical at selective institutions.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Case Western Reserve University enrolls a student body with limited economic diversity compared to public institutions, reflecting its private status and selective admissions. The university enrolls 17.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating that approximately 1 in 6 students come from lower-income families. First-generation students comprise 10.9% of enrollment, suggesting that most students have parents with college experience. Transfer students represent 4.3% of enrollment, indicating limited transfer admission opportunities. These composition figures reflect Case Western's position as a Selective Achievers institution that serves fewer low-income students while producing strong outcomes. The moderate Pell share indicates the university does enroll students from diverse economic backgrounds, though not at the levels seen at public institutions. The low first-generation share suggests most students benefit from family college experience and guidance. Students from lower-income families should know that 17.1% of enrolled students share their background, and the university's strong outcomes for low-income graduates ($93,100 median earnings) indicate institutional support for economic mobility. First-generation applicants should consider the 10.9% representation when assessing community and support systems. The limited transfer enrollment suggests that traditional four-year students represent the primary pathway to Case Western.
Given Case Western's 28.7% acceptance rate and competitive academic profile, most applicants should consider it a target or reach school depending on their credentials. The alternatives below provide comparable career outcomes with different admission profiles.
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Case Western Reserve University demonstrates strong retention and completion outcomes that exceed peer institutions. 92.0% of freshmen return for sophomore year, significantly above the peer median of 83.1%, indicating effective first-year support and student satisfaction. The six-year graduation rate reaches 87.0%, substantially above the 70% peer median and reflecting consistent degree completion support. Pell-eligible students graduate at 83.0%, creating a 4.0 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This modest gap indicates relatively strong support for lower-income students, though some disparity remains in completion outcomes. The retention and graduation rates place Case Western among the stronger performers in supporting student success once enrolled. These metrics suggest that students who gain admission typically find the academic and social environment supportive of degree completion. The modest Pell completion gap indicates the university provides reasonably effective support for lower-income students, though some additional challenges may exist. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for academic success and degree completion, with the vast majority of entering students successfully completing their programs. Prospective students should view these completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment they would experience, while understanding that individual success depends on academic preparation, engagement, and utilization of available resources.
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