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#13 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

Northwestern College Admission Requirements

Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Your chances of getting into Northwestern College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

91.9%
Admission Difficulty for Northwestern College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Northwestern College is 91.9%.  Its admission rate is the 32nd lowest in Minnesota.

Admission Selectivity

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

Northwestern College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,097 out of the 1,194 who applied were admitted.

Northwestern College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.58. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 33% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Northwestern College?

92% 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 Northwestern College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.58 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1140 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Northwestern College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.58

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Northwestern College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Northwestern College are to have around a 3.58 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.58 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Northwestern College accepts 92% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Northwestern College is 3.58 on the 4.0 scale. 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 #11 in Minnesota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Northwestern 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 Northwestern College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 4.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 46.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 8.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.0% 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 2024

Calculate My Chances 

Northwestern College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Northwestern College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 4% of students submitted SAT scores and 35% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

981-1293

Applicants Submitting SAT 

4%
SAT Scores for Northwestern College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 488
Math 25th Percentile 493
Composite 25th Percentile 981
SAT Scores for Northwestern College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 663
Composite 75th Percentile 1293
Average SAT Score 1140

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Northwestern College is 1140 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 981-1293. Students who get into Northwestern College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Northwestern College ranks #19 in the state of Minnesota for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1140 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Northwestern College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 981 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 981, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 820, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Northwestern 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 1140 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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 1137, you have around a 92% chance of being admitted. A 1293 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

Northwestern College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1293 and Above Good >96%
1137 to 1293 Avg + 92%-96%
981 to 1137 Avg - 86%-92%
825 to 981 Reach 76%-86%
Less than 825 Low <76%
Calculate My Chances 

Northwestern College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

35%
ACT Scores for Northwestern College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 21
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Northwestern College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 31
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Northwestern College is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 29.  The school ranks #8 in Minnesota 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 18.

35 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Northwestern College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Northwestern 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 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Northwestern College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 92% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 96% with a 29 ACT score.

Northwestern College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >96%
25 to 29 Avg + 92%-96%
22 to 25 Avg - 87%-92%
19 to 22 Reach 79%-87%
Less than 19 Low <79%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

83% of Northwestern College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northwestern College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 17%
Top 25% of class 50%
Top 50% of class 83%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Northwestern College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 593 601 1,194
Accepted 556 541 1,097
Acceptance Rate 94% 90% 92%
Enrolled 202 162 364
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 36% 30% 33%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

135

Applicants have 135 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

Northwestern 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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Northwestern College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Northwestern College 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 3.58 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1140 and ACT of 25 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Northwestern College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=174491 IPEDS survey data for Northwestern College.

Last updated February 24, 2025