Northwest Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Maryville, MO
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Northwest Admission Overview
Northwest admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Northwest admitted 86.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.45 GPA (B+) and SAT 976-1193 / ACT 19-24. Northwest 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
Northwest is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Northwest Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Northwest Missouri State University
Acceptance Rate
The Northwest acceptance rate is 86.1%. Last year, 4,464 of 5,185 applicants were admitted. That is the 32nd lowest acceptance rate in Missouri.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Northwest and can you get accepted?
Northwest 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.
Northwest Missouri State University typically 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. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Northwest GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.45Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.45
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Northwest typically have around a 3.45 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Northwest is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #22 in Missouri for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Northwest SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
976-1193Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
2%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 478
- Math 498
- Composite 976
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 593
- Math 600
- Composite 1193
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Northwest typically score around a 1080 SAT (middle 50% 976–1193) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 55th percentile nationally. Northwest ranks #22 in the state of Missouri for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 976 to 1193
SAT policy
Northwest 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 1080 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.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Northwest ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
19-24Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
66%25th Percentile Scores
- English 18
- Math 18
- Composite 19
75th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 24
- Composite 24
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Northwest typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 19–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Northwest places #21 among colleges in Missouri for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 24
ACT policy
You may apply to Northwest without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 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.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
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 Northwest chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Northwest Missouri State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Northwest Missouri State University is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Northwest is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 86.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.45 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (976-1193); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Northwest Missouri State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=178624.
GPA calculator: Northwest Missouri State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026