North Central College Admission Requirements

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Naperville, IL
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#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

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North Central College Admission Overview

North Central College admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year North Central College admitted 77.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (A-) and SAT 1055-1310 / ACT 24-29. North Central College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

North Central College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

North Central College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

77.3%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The North Central College acceptance rate is 77.3%. Last year, 3,554 of 4,596 applicants were admitted. That is the 33rd lowest acceptance rate in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

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

North Central College is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

North Central College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

North Central College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.6

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.6

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at North Central College typically have around a 3.6 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. North Central College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

29% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #15 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled North Central College freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

North Central College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1055-1310

Freshmen who sent SAT

21%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 530
Math 525
Composite 1055

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 650
Math 660
Composite 1310

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at North Central College typically score around a 1180 SAT (middle 50% 1055–1310) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 73rd percentile nationally. North Central College ranks #14 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1055 to 1310

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

North Central College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at North Central College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1310+	Above 75th	>86%
1180 to 1310	Avg +	77%-86%
1055 to 1180	Avg -	64%-77%
Below 1055	Below mid-50	<64%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

North Central College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

24-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 22
Math 24
Composite 24

75th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 29
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at North Central College typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 24–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. North Central College places #14 among colleges in Illinois for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to North Central College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at North Central College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>88%
26 to 29	Avg +	77%-88%
24 to 26	Avg -	67%-77%
Below 24	Below mid-50	<67%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the North Central College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

North Central College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,500	2,094	4,596
Accepted	1,958	1,595	3,554
Acceptance Rate	78%	76%	77%
Enrolled	243	239	482
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	12%	15%	14%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

227

Applicants have 227 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Apr 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to North Central College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at North Central College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

North Central College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 77.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1055-1310); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025