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#13 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

North Central College Admission Requirements

Naperville, Illinois

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Your chances of getting into North Central College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

60.9%
Admission Difficulty for North Central College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at North Central College is 60.9%.  Its admission rate is the 17th lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into North Central College and can you get accepted?

North Central College is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 3,104 out of the 5,099 who applied were admitted.

North Central College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into North Central College?

61% 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 North Central College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.6 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1130 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

North Central College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.6

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into North Central College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into North Central College are to have around a 3.6 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as North Central College accepts 61% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at North Central College is 3.6 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #15 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since North Central College 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 3.6 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 North Central College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 28.72% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.7% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.5% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 12.3% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 5.75% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.03% 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 

North Central College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to North Central College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 47% of students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1020-1240

Applicants Submitting SAT 

47%
SAT Scores for North Central College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 510
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1020
SAT Scores for North Central College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1240
Average SAT Score 1130

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to North Central College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at North Central College is 1130 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1020-1240. Students who get into North Central College score in the top 57 percent of all SAT test takers..  North Central College ranks #19 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1130 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. North Central College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1020, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

North Central College 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 1130 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 1130, you have around a 61% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 75% chance of getting in.

North Central College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1240 and Above Good >75%
1130 to 1240 Avg + 61%-75%
1020 to 1130 Avg - 45%-61%
910 to 1020 Reach 30%-45%
Less than 910 Low <30%
Calculate My Chances 

North Central College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

10%
ACT Scores for North Central College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 20
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for North Central College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into North Central College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to North Central College is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 28.  The school ranks #15 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 19.

10 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to North Central College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as North Central College 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 North Central College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 61% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 75% with a 28 ACT score.

North Central College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >75%
25 to 28 Avg + 61%-75%
22 to 25 Avg - 45%-61%
19 to 22 Reach 30%-45%
Less than 19 Low <30%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

90% of North Central College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted North Central College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 44%
Top 50% of class 90%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

North Central College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,555 2,544 5,099
Accepted 1,609 1,495 3,104
Acceptance Rate 63% 59% 61%
Enrolled 230 253 483
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 17% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

145

Applicants have 145 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Apr 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to North Central College is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to North Central College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

North Central College 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 considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at North Central College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because North Central College is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.6 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1130 on the SAT and 25 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to North Central College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147660 IPEDS survey data for North Central College.

Last updated February 24, 2024