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#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

Northwest University Admission Requirements

Kirkland, Washington

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Your chances of getting into Northwest University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

94.3%
Admission Difficulty for Northwest University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Northwest University is 94.3%.  Its admission rate is the 20th lowest in Washington.

Admission Selectivity

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

Northwest 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, 361 out of the 383 who applied were admitted.

Northwest University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.41. 43% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Northwest University?

94% 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 University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.41 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1190 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT

Northwest University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.41

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Northwest University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Northwest University are to have around a 3.41 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.41 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Northwest University accepts 94% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Northwest University is 3.41 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 #14 in Washington for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Northwest University 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 3.4 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 University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 17.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 25.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 11.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0.0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Northwest University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Northwest University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 28% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1050-1320

Applicants Submitting SAT 

28%
SAT Scores for Northwest University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 540
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1050
SAT Scores for Northwest University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 685
Math 75th Percentile 635
Composite 75th Percentile 1320
Average SAT Score 1190

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Northwest University is 1190 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1320. Students who get into Northwest University score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers..  Northwest University ranks #12 in the state of Washington for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1190 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Northwest University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Northwest 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 1190 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 1185, you have around a 94% chance of being admitted. A 1320 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 97% chance of getting in.

Northwest University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1320 and Above Good >97%
1185 to 1320 Avg + 94%-97%
1050 to 1185 Avg - 89%-94%
915 to 1050 Reach 81%-89%
Less than 915 Low <81%
Calculate My Chances 

Northwest University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

7%
ACT Scores for Northwest University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Northwest University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Northwest University is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 30.  The school ranks #9 in Washington for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

7 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Northwest University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Northwest 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 University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 94% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 30 ACT score.

Northwest University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >97%
26 to 30 Avg + 94%-97%
22 to 26 Avg - 89%-94%
18 to 22 Reach 81%-89%
Less than 18 Low <81%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Northwest University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 268 114 383
Accepted 254 106 361
Acceptance Rate 95% 93% 94%
Enrolled 98 58 156
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 39% 55% 43%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

219

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 Northwest University is $30.

Application Requirements

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

Northwest 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 considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Northwest University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Northwest 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 3.41 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1190 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Northwest University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=236133 IPEDS survey data for Northwest University.

Last updated February 24, 2024