International Student Admissions

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Complete the online Main Application for Admission. There is no required fee at the time you submit the application. A $15 non-refundable admission fee will be charged to your first semester’s tuition statement.

Please note that Admission to the College does not admit you to all health care programs.  Many of our programs in the Health and Public Safety division have special admission requirements.

New Students (Currently overseas): For Fall 2026, You must be admitted to the college prior to May 1, 2026.

Transferring Students from another US institution: For Fall 2026, You must be admitted to the college prior to July 3, 2026.

All international students MUST be enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

High School Diploma/Certification and Transcript:

• If you attended high school outside the U.S., you must provide a copy in the original language via email to adm@cincinnatistate.edu or by bringing it in-person to the Welcome Center, where it will be photocopied and returned to you.
• You must also provide a copy translated into English from one of the English Translation Services below.
• If you took the GED, you must request your GED transcript by visiting the official GED website and logging into your account, and request to have the transcript sent directly to Cincinnati State at adm@cincinnatistate.edu, or mailed to 3520 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45223. We cannot accept GED transcripts from the student; they must come from the official GED website.
• If you attended a U.S. high school, the transcript must come directly from the high school and be faxed to 513-569-1562, emailed to adm@cincinnatistate.edu, or mailed to 3520 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45223.

College transcript (if attended):

• If transferring coursework/credits from a College/University outside the U.S., you must provide the transcript(s) in the original language as well as an English translation and a course-by-course evaluation from a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services www.naces.org/members) – see translation and evaluation providers below.
• If you attended a U.S. College/University, the transcript must come directly from the institution; if you have an associate’s degree or higher, your high school documents are not necessary.

• Affordable Language Services 
• Atlas Credential Evaluations (ACE) (use discount code INST2015 for $15 off)
• The Language Bank 

• Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• International Education Evaluations (IEE)
• The Evaluation Company (TEC)
• World Education Services (WES)

Tip for Requesting U.S. Transcripts:

• Most U.S. high schools and colleges have an online transcript request process. Search for “transcripts” and you will probably be directed to log into your student portal or referred to the HS Guidance or college’s Registrar’s Office.

To demonstrate English proficiency, international students must meet one of the following:

• Submit official transcripts verifying successful completion of any college level English course with a grade of C or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. This does not include ESL coursework.
• Request your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores that are less than two years old, with a minimum score of 500 (Paper), 173 (Computer) or 61 (Internet-based) to be sent directly to Cincinnati State from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) using the Cincinnati State school code: 1984.
• Request your International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results that are less than two years old, with a minimum overall score of 5.0 to be sent directly to Cincinnati State from IELTS.
• Request your DuoLingo English Test results that are less than two years old, with a minimum overall score of 80 to be send directly to Cincinnati State from DuoLingo.
• Request your ACCUPLACER scores that are less than two years old, with a minimum score of 4 on WritePlacer or 5 on WritePlacer ESL to be sent directly from College Board to Cincinnati State.  If you currently reside in United States, you may take the Accuplacer at Cincinnati State.  https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/future-students/testing/
• Provide an official U.S. High School diploma showing a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Provide proof of completion of secondary school in an English-speaking country (see list of qualifying countries).

Exemption from the Cincinnati State English Composition requirement is determined by the Office of Admissions, the International Student Affairs Office, and the Academic Divisions.

Please allow  14  business days for Admissions to process all documents and send you a letter of Admission to the College.  Once admitted, visit International Student Affairs to submit necessary forms to obtain your I-20.  For more information, email international@cincinnatistate.edu or call (513) 569-4769.

Once admitted, you will receive next steps and instructions to:

Visit our Welcome page
Explore your MyCState/Self-Service account
Complete the online New Student Orientation
Schedule and meet with your Pathway Advisor  
Schedule and pay for classes
Maintain your F or M student status

Please note that Admission to the College does not admit you to all health care programs.  Many of our programs in the Health and Public Safety division have special admission requirements. Please discuss with your Pathway Advisor.

Cincinnati State does not offer any on-campus housing; however, there are many apartments in the Clifton and Cincinnati area.