North Dakota State University Main Campus campus

NDSU Admission Requirements

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Fargo, ND
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NDSU Admission Overview

NDSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year NDSU admitted 95% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.53 GPA (A-) and SAT 968-1216 / ACT 19-25. NDSU 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

NDSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NDSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

95%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The NDSU acceptance rate is 95%. Last year, 6,864 of 7,228 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate in North Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

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

NDSU 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 Dakota State University Main Campus typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.53. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

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NDSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.53

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.53

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at NDSU typically have around a 3.53 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. NDSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #1 in North Dakota 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.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled North Dakota State University Main Campus freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	10.24%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	29.87%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	20.76%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	14.22%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	11.74%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	12.11%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	1.06%	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

NDSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

968-1216

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 468
Math 500
Composite 968

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 623
Math 593
Composite 1216

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at NDSU typically score around a 1090 SAT (middle 50% 968–1216) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 57th percentile nationally. NDSU ranks #3 in the state of North Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 968 to 1216

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

NDSU 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 1090 SAT score range.

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

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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 Dakota State University Main Campus
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1216+	Above 75th	>97%
1090 to 1216	Avg +	95%-97%
968 to 1090	Avg -	91%-95%
Below 968	Below mid-50	<91%

What do these figures mean?

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

NDSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-25

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 16
Math 18
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 26
Composite 25

Average ACT

Incoming testers at NDSU typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–25) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. NDSU places #3 among colleges in North Dakota for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 25

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to NDSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

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

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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 Dakota State University Main Campus
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
25+	Above 75th	>97%
22 to 25	Avg +	95%-97%
19 to 22	Avg -	91%-95%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<91%

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 NDSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

North Dakota State University Main Campus admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	4,154	3,074	7,228
Accepted	3,959	2,905	6,864
Acceptance Rate	95%	95%	95%
Enrolled	1,188	1,009	2,197
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	30%	35%	32%

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

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to North Dakota State University Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?

North Dakota State University Main Campus 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	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even 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

Aug 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

314

Applicants have 314 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to North Dakota State University Main Campus 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 Dakota State University Main Campus
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

NDSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 95% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.53 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (968-1216); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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