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#9 Best Public Universities in Missouri

Northwest Admission Requirements

Maryville, Missouri

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Your chances of getting into Northwest Missouri State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

85.6%
Admission Difficulty for Northwest Missouri State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Northwest is 85.6%.  Its admission rate is the 33rd lowest in Missouri.

Admission Selectivity

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

Northwest Missouri State 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, 5,884 out of the 6,877 who applied were admitted.

Northwest Missouri State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.45. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Northwest?

86% 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 Northwest Missouri State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.45 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1050 on the SAT
  • Score 21 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Northwest GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.45

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Northwest Missouri State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Northwest are to have around a 3.45 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.45 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Northwest accepts 86% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Northwest is 3.45 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 #22 in Missouri for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Northwest 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 3.5 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 Northwest Missouri State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 37.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 21.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 18.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.0% 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 

Northwest SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Northwest Missouri State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 2% of students submitted SAT scores and 84% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

938-1158

Applicants Submitting SAT 

2%
SAT Scores for Northwest Missouri State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 473
Math 25th Percentile 465
Composite 25th Percentile 938
SAT Scores for Northwest Missouri State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 578
Math 75th Percentile 580
Composite 75th Percentile 1158
Average SAT Score 1050

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Northwest Missouri State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Northwest is 1050 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 938-1158. Students who get into Northwest Missouri State University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Northwest ranks #24 in the state of Missouri for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1050 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Northwest regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 938 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 938, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 830, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Northwest Missouri State 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 1050 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 1048, you have around a 86% chance of being admitted. A 1158 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

Northwest Missouri State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1158 and Above Good >92%
1048 to 1158 Avg + 86%-92%
938 to 1048 Avg - 76%-86%
828 to 938 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 828 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

Northwest ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-24 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

84%
ACT Scores for Northwest Missouri State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 17
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for Northwest Missouri State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 23
Math 75th Percentile 23
Composite 75th Percentile 24
Average ACT Score 21

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Northwest is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 24.  The school ranks #27 in Missouri for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 84 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Northwest Missouri State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Northwest Missouri State 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 Northwest for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 86% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 24 ACT score.

Northwest Missouri State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
24 and Above Good >92%
21 to 24 Avg + 86%-92%
18 to 21 Avg - 76%-86%
15 to 18 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 15 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

78% of Northwest Missouri State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northwest Missouri State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18%
Top 25% of class 43%
Top 50% of class 78%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Northwest Missouri State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,514 2,363 6,877
Accepted 3,882 2,002 5,884
Acceptance Rate 86% 85% 86%
Enrolled 676 419 1,095
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 21% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northwest Missouri State University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Northwest Missouri State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Northwest Missouri State 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 Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Northwest Missouri State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Northwest Missouri State 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 3.45 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1050 and ACT of 21 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Northwest Missouri State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=178624 IPEDS survey data for Northwest Missouri State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024