About Cedarville University
Cedarville University builds its reputation on conservative Christian education with particularly strong programs in pharmacy, engineering, and biblical studies. The 3,815-student campus operates under the motto "For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ," reflecting its Baptist foundation since 1887. Notable graduates include Wimbledon tennis champion Chuck McKinley and Christian educator Paul Dixon. The rural Ohio setting creates a close-knit community where faith and academics intersect daily.
Students pay an average net price of $25,022 after financial aid, despite the $46,688 sticker price. This represents solid value considering graduates earn a median of $55,443 ten years after graduation. Most students graduate with $20,937 in debt and monthly payments of $222. The 96.7% employment rate suggests strong career preparation, though only 15.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a predominantly middle-class student body.
The Yellow Jackets compete in NCAA Division II with 296 athletes across 16 sports, supported by $2.7 million in athletic scholarships. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio enables personal attention in this faith-centered environment. With 86% of students identifying as white and nearly 40% coming from Ohio, Cedarville maintains a relatively homogeneous community united by shared Christian values.
Students pay an average net price of $25,022 after financial aid, despite the $46,688 sticker price. This represents solid value considering graduates earn a median of $55,443 ten years after graduation. Most students graduate with $20,937 in debt and monthly payments of $222. The 96.7% employment rate suggests strong career preparation, though only 15.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a predominantly middle-class student body.
The Yellow Jackets compete in NCAA Division II with 296 athletes across 16 sports, supported by $2.7 million in athletic scholarships. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio enables personal attention in this faith-centered environment. With 86% of students identifying as white and nearly 40% coming from Ohio, Cedarville maintains a relatively homogeneous community united by shared Christian values.
Academics & Faculty
Cedarville combines conservative Christian worldview with rigorous academics across pharmacy, engineering, and biblical studies programs. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom settings where professors integrate faith with learning. Students benefit from strong mentorship, evidenced by the 74% four-year graduation rate. The university operates as a full Christian institution rather than a narrow Bible college. Engineering students work on real-world projects while pharmacy majors access state-of-the-art facilities. Biblical studies remains a cornerstone program, preparing students for ministry and Christian leadership roles. The 85% retention rate reflects student satisfaction with the academic environment. Most programs require chapel attendance and Bible courses, creating a distinctly Christian educational experience.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 58.8%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 74.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 74.3%
- Retention Rate
- 85.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,443
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $96,183 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,635 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $69,338 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,101 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,409 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $57,318 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $57,318 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,532 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $50,270 |
| Education, General. | Master | $41,193 |
Campus Life
This small Baptist campus in rural southwestern Ohio houses 86% of its 3,815 students in residence halls. Cedarville sits about an hour east of Dayton in farm country, where winters mean bundling up for snow and spring brings Ohio's unpredictable weather swings. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio creates a tight-knit community where professors know students by name.
Campus life revolves around chapel attendance, intramural sports, and Yellow Jackets athletics competing in NCAA Division II. With 296 student-athletes across 16 varsity sports, games draw decent crowds in this town of 4,000 residents. Weekend activities center on campus events, study groups, and trips to nearby Springfield or Columbus for shopping and entertainment. The conservative Christian environment means no alcohol on campus and strict behavioral standards outlined in community agreements. Students often gather for outdoor activities at nearby parks or head to campus coffee shops between classes. Most social life happens within the campus bubble, creating strong friendships but limited nightlife options beyond organized campus programming.
Campus life revolves around chapel attendance, intramural sports, and Yellow Jackets athletics competing in NCAA Division II. With 296 student-athletes across 16 varsity sports, games draw decent crowds in this town of 4,000 residents. Weekend activities center on campus events, study groups, and trips to nearby Springfield or Columbus for shopping and entertainment. The conservative Christian environment means no alcohol on campus and strict behavioral standards outlined in community agreements. Students often gather for outdoor activities at nearby parks or head to campus coffee shops between classes. Most social life happens within the campus bubble, creating strong friendships but limited nightlife options beyond organized campus programming.
- Setting
- Rural-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 3,284 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1887
Campus Safety (2023)
12 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 22°–37°F
- July Avg
- 64°–83°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 43.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 20.3"
Student Demographics
Cedarville draws students from across the country, with 61% coming from outside Ohio. The Baptist university attracts families seeking conservative Christian education who can afford the $36,078 tuition. Only 15% receive Pell Grants, indicating a predominantly middle and upper-middle class student body. Women comprise 54% of enrollment, reflecting strong programs in education and nursing alongside engineering and pharmacy. The 86% white enrollment aligns with evangelical Protestant demographics. Students typically come from Christian households prioritizing faith-based academics over geographic proximity.
- Men
- 45.7%
- Women
- 54.3%
- White
- 86.1%
- Black
- 1.4%
- Hispanic
- 3.3%
- Asian
- 2.8%
- In-State Students
- 39.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 15.4%
Location
Cedarville sits in southwestern Ohio, about 25 miles northeast of Dayton and 70 miles from Columbus. The university draws 60.57% of its students from out-of-state to this rural farming community of roughly 4,000 residents. Rolling farmland and small towns define this part of Ohio, where corn and soybean fields stretch between scattered communities. The campus becomes the town center, with 3,284 students living in on-campus housing that dominates the local landscape. This Baptist stronghold offers the quiet, insular environment that conservative Christian families often seek for their children's college years. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Cedarville University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Cedarville, Ohio 45314-0601
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,443
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $57,137
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $38,200
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 86.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $222/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,937
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Cedarville University?
Cedarville University accepts 64.88% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1255. The Christian university in rural Ohio draws students seeking conservative evangelical education with strong academic programs.
How much does Cedarville University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $25,022 after aid, though the sticker price is $36,078 for tuition. The school keeps costs manageable with institutional grants averaging $19,637 for the quarter of students who receive them.
What is Cedarville University known for academically?
The university excels in pharmacy, engineering, and biblical studies with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Founded in 1887 as a Baptist institution, it maintains strong conservative Christian values throughout its academic programs.
How much do Cedarville University graduates earn?
Graduates earn a median salary of $55,443 ten years after college with a 96.7% employment rate. The school's 74.3% six-year graduation rate reflects solid outcomes for students in this rural Ohio setting.
What is campus life like at Cedarville University?
The 3,815 students live in a close-knit community with housing capacity for 3,284 students. The Yellow Jackets compete in NCAA Division II with 296 total athletes across 16 varsity sports in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
How diverse is Cedarville University's student body?
The student population is 86.13% white with women making up 54.34% of enrollment. Only 15.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school primarily serves middle and upper-middle class families seeking Christian higher education.
