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#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

Nova Admission Requirements

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Nova Southeastern University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

75.8%
Admission Difficulty for Nova Southeastern University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Nova is 75.8%.  Its admission rate is the 39th lowest in Florida.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Nova and can you get accepted?

Nova Southeastern University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 12,726 out of the 16,789 who applied were admitted.

Nova Southeastern University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.99. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Nova?

76% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Nova Southeastern University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.99 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Nova GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.99

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Nova Southeastern University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Nova are to have around a 3.99 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.99 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Nova accepts 76% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Nova is 3.99 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in Florida for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Nova is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Nova Southeastern University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 67.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 12.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 9.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 5.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Nova SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Nova Southeastern University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 48% of students submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1040-1310

Applicants Submitting SAT 

48%
SAT Scores for Nova Southeastern University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1040
SAT Scores for Nova Southeastern University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 660
Composite 75th Percentile 1310
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Nova Southeastern University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Nova is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1040-1310. Students who get into Nova Southeastern University score in the top 53 percent of all SAT test takers..  Nova ranks #15 in the state of Florida for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Nova regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1040 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1040, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 900, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Nova Southeastern University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1175, you have around a 76% chance of being admitted. A 1310 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 86% chance of getting in.

Nova Southeastern University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1310 and Above Good >86%
1175 to 1310 Avg + 76%-86%
1040 to 1175 Avg - 62%-76%
905 to 1040 Reach 47%-62%
Less than 905 Low <47%
Calculate My Chances 

Nova ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

19%
ACT Scores for Nova Southeastern University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Nova Southeastern University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Nova?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Nova is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 27.  The school ranks #23 in Florida for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

19 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Nova Southeastern University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Nova Southeastern University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Nova for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 76% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 87% with a 27 ACT score.

Nova Southeastern University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >87%
23 to 27 Avg + 76%-87%
20 to 23 Avg - 65%-76%
17 to 20 Reach 51%-65%
Less than 17 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

56% of Nova Southeastern University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Nova Southeastern University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 28%
Top 25% of class 56%
Top 50% of class 81%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Nova Southeastern University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 11,715 4,969 16,789
Accepted 9,058 3,584 12,726
Acceptance Rate 77% 72% 76%
Enrolled 1,388 585 1,978
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 16% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Nova Southeastern University is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Nova Southeastern University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Nova Southeastern University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Nova Southeastern University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Nova Southeastern University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.99 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1180 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Nova Southeastern University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=136215 IPEDS survey data for Nova Southeastern University.

Last updated February 24, 2024