Case Western Reserve University
A research university in Cleveland's University Circle, where most undergraduates do research and hospitals are a short walk away.
- Acceptance rate
- 35%
- First-year class entering fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26); deadlines for fall 2027
- Students
- 12,398
- 6,534 undergraduates
- International
- 9%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 10:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $71,410
- 2026-27
About CWRU
Case Western Reserve traces its roots to Western Reserve College, founded in 1826, and the Case School of Applied Science, founded in 1880; the two institutions federated in 1967. Today it is a private research university of 12,398 students, 6,534 of them undergraduates, in Cleveland's University Circle, a district of educational, medical and cultural institutions about five miles east of downtown.
CWRU is strongest where science, engineering and medicine meet. Its undergraduate nursing program ranks No. 12 and biomedical engineering No. 23 in U.S. News, and the university says it is among the top 25 private universities in federal research spending. It was here, in 1887, that Albert Michelson and Edward Morley ran their famous experiment on the speed of light, and Michelson went on to become the first American to win a Nobel Prize in science.
Undergraduates can choose from more than 100 degree programs across the College of Arts and Sciences, the Case School of Engineering, the Weatherhead School of Management and the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, and the university reports that 84% of students do research, often starting in their first year. Admission is selective (about 35% in 2025), and CWRU suits curious, self-directed students who want lab access, co-ops and a pre-professional track toward medicine or dentistry.
Why students choose CWRU
CWRU says 84% of its students do research, often from their first year, and 68% complete one or more internships.
The Pre-Professional Scholars Program offers conditional admission to the School of Medicine or School of Dental Medicine before you start undergraduate study.
CWRU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, and every first-year applicant is automatically considered for merit scholarships.
The Sears think[box] is a 50,000-square-foot public-access innovation center and makerspace with prototyping equipment open to students.
Admissions
First-year class entering fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26); deadlines for fall 2027
About 1 in 3 applicants is admitted
13,890 admitted from 39,332 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
1,663 first-year students enrolled in fall 2025. Early Decision admitted 263 of 1,053 applicants (about 25%). 9,168 applicants were offered a waitlist place and 688 accepted it.
Typical entry requirements
| U.S. high school | Minimum coursework includes 3 years of science (2 laboratory) and 2 years of a foreign language; an extra year of math and lab science is recommended for engineering and science applicants |
|---|---|
| English language | IELTS 7 · TOEFL iBT 90 Non-native English speakers need TOEFL iBT 90 (tests on or before January 20, 2026) or 4.5 (from January 21, 2026), IELTS 7, Duolingo 115 or PTE Academic 61. Waived after two years at an English-medium school, SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 630+ or ACT English 26+. Self-reported scores are accepted for review. |
Deadlines
- Early Decision I Binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Financial aid documents due November 15; decisions around December 5; enrollment deadline December 12.
- Early Action Non-binding In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Non-restrictive. Financial aid documents due November 15; decisions around December 19; reply by May 1.
- Pre-Professional Scholars Program Non-binding In 56 daysDecember 1, 2026
Conditional admission to the School of Medicine or School of Dental Medicine; finalists interview in late March. Decisions around January 30.
- Early Decision II Binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 15, 2027
Financial aid documents due January 22; decisions around February 6; enroll within one week of admission.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 15, 2027
Financial aid documents due February 1; decisions around March 20; reply by May 1.
Dates are from CWRU's current deadlines page (month and day given without a year) and apply to the fall 2027 cycle. Separate scholarship competitions, including full-tuition awards, require a scholarship application by February 15.
How to apply
Common App or Coalition with Scoir: personal essay, official high school transcript, two teacher recommendations and a $75 fee (waivers available). Test scores optional. Early Decision applicants sign an ED agreement; music majors submit an Arts Supplement; Pre-Professional Scholars applicants write two additional essays. Need-based aid requires the FAFSA and CSS Profile (CSS Profile only for non-U.S. residents).
What admissions looks for
- Success in a variety of challenging courses, especially beyond graduation requirements; the CDS rates rigor, class rank and GPA as very important.
- Extracurricular activities are rated very important, with talent, character, volunteer work, the essay and recommendations rated important.
- Intellectual curiosity, initiative and a clear sense of how you will contribute to campus, according to the admissions office.
- The CDS lists the interview as important, and first-generation status, alumni relation, work experience and level of interest as considered.
Tips for applying to CWRU
- 1 If CWRU is your first choice, compare the ED rounds: Early Decision admitted about 25% of applicants in 2025, with ED II (January 15) as a second chance.
- 2 Use the applicant portal to add context such as a resume, research abstracts, AP scores or extra recommendations.
- 3 If you submit scores, test by November 30 for Early Action and ED I, or by December 31 for ED II and Regular Decision; CWRU superscores.
- 4 Pre-med or pre-dental applicants can apply to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program by December 1, which needs two extra essays and an interview for finalists.
- 5 Apply for scholarship competitions, including full-tuition awards, by February 15, on top of automatic merit consideration.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Case Western Reserve University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
CWRU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and delivers aid offers alongside admission decisions. All first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, with separate competitions for full-tuition awards. Need-based and merit aid are available to international students (CSS Profile required).
- $95,704 plus a transportation allowance of up to $2,000
- Estimated cost of attendance, residential student, 2026-27
- 98.2% (100% for first-years)
- Average need met, full-time undergraduates with need-based aid (2025-26 estimated)
- $64,469
- Average financial aid package, full-time undergraduates (2025-26 estimated)
- 275 students, average $43,200
- International undergraduates awarded institutional aid
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Nursing (BSN)
Ranked No. 12 in the country in U.S. News Best Colleges 2027.
Biomedical Engineering
Ranked No. 23 for undergraduates by U.S. News (2027) and No. 18 at the graduate level.
Pre-Professional Scholars Program (medicine and dentistry)
Conditional admission to CWRU's School of Medicine or School of Dental Medicine at the point of undergraduate admission.
Physics
The department where Michelson and Morley ran their 1887 experiment, later chaired by future Nobel laureate Frederick Reines.
Business (Weatherhead School of Management)
Undergraduate business ranked No. 39 by U.S. News in 2027.
Research
- CWRU says it is among the nation's top 25 private universities in federal research spending, with more than 100 interdisciplinary research centers and institutes.
- The 1887 Michelson-Morley experiment was carried out on the campus; Albert Michelson became the first American to win a Nobel Prize in science (physics, 1907).
- The university's people contributed to work on insulin, the polio vaccine and MRI, and its Health Education Campus is shared with the Cleveland Clinic.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Case School of Engineering
- Weatherhead School of Management
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
- School of Medicine
- School of Dental Medicine
- School of Law
- Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
- School of Graduate Studies
College Scorecard reports median earnings of $87,989 ten years after entry for students who received federal aid. CWRU reports that 99% of students take part in hands-on learning and 68% complete at least one internship.
Student life
CWRU is primarily residential: first-year students live together in first-year residential communities, and the university says nearly 90% of students live on campus throughout their undergraduate years. There are hundreds of student clubs, from cultural associations to the student radio station WRUW-FM, and the Maltz Performing Arts Center is home to music performances. The Spartans compete in NCAA Division III as founding members of the University Athletic Association, and University Circle's cultural institutions are on the doorstep.
- First-year students live in four residential communities: Juniper, Cedar Magnolia, Mistletoe and Clarke (Clarke Tower).
- Nearly 90% of students live on campus throughout their undergraduate careers.
- The Spartans play in NCAA Division III as a founding member of the University Athletic Association.
- The 50,000-square-foot Sears think[box] makerspace is open to students with ideas to prototype.
Housing. First-year students live in first-year residential communities on campus, and upper-class students have options such as the South Residential Village and Triangle apartments.
Location
The campus sits in University Circle, about five miles east of downtown Cleveland, an area full of educational, medical and cultural institutions, within walking distance of three major hospitals. The free CircleLink shuttle runs through University Circle and Little Italy, and two Red Line rapid stations connect the area to the rest of the city.
Nearest airport: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Notable alumni
- AJ Anthony and Joe RussoFilm directors and producers of Marvel's Avengers films
- CN Craig NewmarkFounder of Craigslist
- PB Paul BuchheitCreator and lead developer of Gmail
- DK Donald KnuthComputer scientist, author of The Art of Computer Programming and creator of TeX
- PT Peter TippettDeveloper of the antivirus software that became Norton AntiVirus
- PM Philip M. MorsePhysicist and a founder of operations research
Frequently asked questions
What is Case Western Reserve's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, CWRU admitted 13,890 of 39,332 first-year applicants, about 35%. Early Decision admitted 263 of 1,053 applicants.
Is Case Western test-optional?
Yes. Scores are considered if submitted and CWRU superscores. Among fall 2025 enrollees who submitted, the middle 50% was 1440-1530 on the SAT and 32-34 on the ACT.
What are Case Western's application deadlines for fall 2027?
Early Decision I and Early Action are due November 1, the Pre-Professional Scholars Program December 1, and Early Decision II and Regular Decision January 15.
How much does Case Western cost?
For 2026-27, tuition is $71,410 and the estimated total cost of attendance for a residential student is $95,704. CWRU meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students.
Does Case Western give financial aid to international students?
Yes. International applicants can receive need-based aid by filing the CSS Profile, and they are considered for merit scholarships; 275 international undergraduates received institutional aid averaging $43,200.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- CWRU Newsroom: CWRU jumps in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings (2027)
- U.S. News Best Colleges: Case Western Reserve profile (2027 edition, No. 44 National Universities, tie)
- U.S. News Best Global Universities: Case Western Reserve (2026-2027, No. 189 tie)
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to CWRU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.