Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.
60%
SAT 25th-75th percentileThe middle range of SAT scores for admitted students: a quarter scored below the low number and a quarter scored above the high number.
1220–1460
Undergrad enrollment
1,730
Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.
$23,458
In-state tuition
$61,640
Out-of-state tuition
$61,640
Location
Wooster, OH
Campus Size
240 acres
Acceptance Rate
59.5-60%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
74-77%
International Students
From 77 countries
Average Financial Aid Package
$59,425
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at The College of Wooster?
The College of Wooster's acceptance rate is approximately 60% (Wooster, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for The College of Wooster?
Admitted students at The College of Wooster typically score 1220–1460 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does The College of Wooster cost?
At The College of Wooster, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,458 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend The College of Wooster?
The College of Wooster enrolls approximately 1,730 undergraduate students.
Where is The College of Wooster located?
The College of Wooster is located in Wooster, OH.
The College of Wooster is a small, fiercely independent liberal arts college in Ohio where intellectual curiosity meets hands-on research. Known for its signature Independent Study program—a yearlong thesis project that graduates liken to a 'PhD light'—Wooster fosters a culture of close faculty mentorship and interdisciplinary exploration. With a 60% acceptance rate and a student body drawn from 47 states and 77 countries, it's a place where 'Scot spirit' thrives amid rigorous academics and tight-knit community traditions.
Admissions
Wooster's admissions process leans selective but accessible, with a 59.5-60% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.—slightly more competitive than the national average for liberal arts colleges. Early applicants enjoy a significant edge, with a 72.1% acceptance rate. Middle 50% SAT scores range from 1250-1420, though the Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy means these aren't decisive. The college emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with particular interest in students who show intellectual curiosity and a willingness to engage in Wooster's distinctive research-focused curriculum.
Acceptance Rate: 59.5-60% (72.1% early decision)
Middle 50% SAT: 1250-1420
Student Body: 47 U.S. states, 77 countries represented
Every Wooster student graduates having completed an Independent Study (I.S.)—a yearlong, faculty-mentored research project that's the academic cornerstone of the college. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and no declared majors for incoming students, Wooster encourages interdisciplinary exploration across 50+ areas of study. Popular majors include Computer Science (6% of graduates) and History (5%), but the curriculum demands breadth: humanities students take quantitative courses, while STEM majors engage with the arts.
Signature Program: Independent Study (required for all students)
Student-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Notable Stats: 94% of graduates report being accepted into their top-choice grad program
Wooster's 240-acre campus hums with a quirky, collaborative energy. Students describe it as a 'giant family' where 85% live on campus, bonding over traditions like the 'I.S. Monday' celebration (where seniors ring a bell after submitting their theses) and the 'Scot Spirit' that pervades Division III athletics. The college's Wooster in India program underscores its global outlook, while 100+ student organizations—from politics to theater—keep weekends lively. Reviews consistently praise the 'beautifully maintained' grounds and unusually supportive faculty who 'treat students like colleagues.'
Wooster punches above its weight in graduate outcomes. The six-year graduation rate sits at 74-77%, well above the national average, with Pell Grant recipients graduating at a 78% rate—a testament to strong support systems. Alumni earn a median $36,427 one year post-graduation, with 96% employed or in grad school within six months. Notably, the college's emphasis on research pays off: 94% of graduates gain admission to their first-choice graduate program, often citing their I.S. experience as decisive.
Wooster meets 100% of demonstrated need, with 63% of students receiving financial aid and an average aid package of $59,425. 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 typical costs after aid hover around $28,004, though Pell Grant recipients often pay significantly less. The college's early aid estimator provides personalized projections, and its rolling aid notifications (starting January 1) reduce the guesswork for families.
Wooster's magic lies in its mandatory undergraduate research—the I.S. program transforms students into independent scholars, with many describing it as their 'professional calling card.' Unlike peer institutions where research is optional, Wooster's ethos ensures every graduate leaves with substantive original work. Combined with a strikingly supportive faculty (who often co-publish with students) and a campus culture that balances rigor with quirky traditions, it's a college for students who want to be challenged but never coddled. As one Reddit reviewer put it: 'Academics are top-notch, but it's the people who make it feel like home.'
The College of Wooster logo · sourceThe College of Wooster - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceCollege of Wooster – Colleges That Change Lives · sourceSacred Spaces — The College of Wooster · source
