NSU Admission Requirements

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Tahlequah, OK
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NSU Admission Overview

NSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year NSU admitted 99.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.49 GPA (B+) and SAT 866-1136 / ACT 18-23. NSU 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

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

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

99.6%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The NSU acceptance rate is 99.6%. Last year, 1,720 of 1,727 applicants were admitted. That is the 27th lowest acceptance rate in Oklahoma.

Admission Selectivity

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

NSU 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.

Northeastern State University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.49. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 39% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

NSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.49

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.49

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at NSU typically have around a 3.49 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. NSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #11 in Oklahoma 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 Northeastern State University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	14.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	24.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	19.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	16.0%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	13.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	10.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	3.0%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	1.0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

NSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

866-1136

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 438
Math 428
Composite 866

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 593
Math 543
Composite 1136

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at NSU typically score around a 1000 SAT (middle 50% 866–1136) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 40th percentile nationally. NSU ranks #12 in the state of Oklahoma for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 866 to 1136

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

NSU 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 1000 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.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Northeastern State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1136+	Above 75th	>99%
1000 to 1136	Avg +	99%-99%
866 to 1000	Avg -	99%-99%
Below 866	Below mid-50	<99%

What do these figures mean?

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

NSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

18-23

Freshmen reporting ACT

73%

25th Percentile Scores

English 16
Math 16
Composite 18

75th Percentile Scores

English 23
Math 22
Composite 23

Average ACT

Incoming testers at NSU typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 18–23) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. NSU places #11 among colleges in Oklahoma for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 23

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 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.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Northeastern State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
23+	Above 75th	>99%
20 to 23	Avg +	99%-99%
18 to 20	Avg -	99%-99%
Below 18	Below mid-50	<99%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

81% of Northeastern State University 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 Northeastern State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	27%
Top 25% of class	50%
Top 50% of class	81%

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 NSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Northeastern State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	941	780	1,727
Accepted	939	775	1,720
Acceptance Rate	100%	99%	100%
Enrolled	349	319	671
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	37%	41%	39%

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

Application Requirements

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

Northeastern State University 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 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

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

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northeastern State University is $25.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Northeastern State University
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

NSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 99.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.49 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (866-1136); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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