Your chances of getting into Northwestern College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Northwestern College is 92.5%. 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, 1,248 out of the 1,349 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. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Northwestern College?
93% 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.
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 1160 on the SAT
- Score 24 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top half of your high school class
Northwestern College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
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 93% 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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
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. 5% of students submitted SAT scores and 54% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 533 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 482 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1015 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 648 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 663 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1311 |
| Average SAT Score | 1160
|
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 1160 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1015-1311. Students who get into Northwestern College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers.. Northwestern College ranks #15 in the state of Minnesota for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1160 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Northwestern College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1015 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1015, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 870, 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 1160 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance 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 1163, you have around a 93% chance of being admitted. A 1311 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.
Northwestern College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 20 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 19 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 21 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 29 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 27 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 28 |
| Average ACT Score | 24
|
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 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28. The school ranks #9 in Minnesota for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.
54 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 2022 starting classChance 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 24 score has around 93% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 28 ACT score.
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 | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 17% |
| Top 25% of class | 50% |
| Top 50% of class | 83% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 701 | 648 | 1,349 |
| Accepted | 653 | 595 | 1,248 |
| Acceptance Rate | 93% | 92% | 93% |
| Enrolled | 213 | 185 | 398 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 33% | 31% | 32% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 219 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?
| 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
| 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 1160 and ACT of 24 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, 2024