Nova Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
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#9 Best Private Colleges in Florida

Nova Admission Overview

Nova admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Nova admitted 73.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.99 GPA (A) and SAT 1030-1300 / ACT 19-28. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

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

Nova Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

73.2%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Nova Southeastern University

Acceptance Rate

The Nova acceptance rate is 73.2%. Last year, 13,006 of 17,765 applicants were admitted. That is the 31st lowest acceptance rate in Florida.

Admission Selectivity

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

Nova is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Nova Southeastern University typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.99. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Nova GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.99

Typical High School Grades

A

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.99

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Nova typically have around a 3.99 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades.

The school ranks #3 in Florida for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 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 Nova Southeastern University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 67.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 12.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 9.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 5.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% 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

Nova Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Nova Southeastern University requires SAT, ACT, or CLT scores for undergraduate applicants, reinstated beginning Fall 2026. Applicants may self-report scores; official reports must be sent from the testing agency upon enrollment. NSU superscores SAT, ACT, and CLT. SAT review uses Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math; ACT writing is unused. Homeschool applicants must submit official standardized test scores.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://undergrad.nova.edu/admissions/freshman.html

Nova SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1030-1300

Freshmen who sent SAT

42%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 530
  • Math 500
  • Composite 1030
SAT 25th percentile scores for Nova Southeastern University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 650
  • Math 650
  • Composite 1300
SAT 75th percentile scores for Nova Southeastern University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Nova typically score around a 1170 SAT (middle 50% 1030–1300) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 71st percentile nationally. Nova ranks #15 in the state of Florida for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1030 to 1300

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

You must send SAT or ACT for 2026-27. Confirm current rules on the school's site.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 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.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Nova Southeastern University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1300 and Above Above 75th >84%
1170 to 1300 Avg + 73%-84%
1030 to 1170 Avg - 59%-73%
Below 1030 Below mid-50 <59%

What do these figures mean?

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

Nova ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-28

Freshmen reporting ACT

16%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 19
  • Math 17
  • Composite 19
ACT 25th percentile scores for Nova Southeastern University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 28
  • Math 26
  • Composite 28
ACT 75th percentile scores for Nova Southeastern University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Nova typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 19–28) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Nova places #19 among colleges in Florida for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 28

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

ACT or SAT is required for 2026-27. Check the school's site for current rules.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 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.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Nova Southeastern University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
28 and Above Above 75th >85%
23 to 28 Avg + 73%-85%
19 to 23 Avg - 60%-73%
Below 19 Below mid-50 <60%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

56% of Nova Southeastern University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Nova Southeastern University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 28%
Top 25% of class 56%
Top 50% of class 81%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.

Open the Nova chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Nova Southeastern University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 12,384 5,266 17,765
Accepted 9,272 3,655 13,006
Acceptance Rate 75% 69% 73%
Enrolled 1,458 569 2,030
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 16% 16%

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

Application Requirements

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

Nova Southeastern University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
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 Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Nova Southeastern University is $50.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Nova Southeastern 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

Nova is test-required for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 73.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.99 GPA (about an A average). 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 Nova Southeastern University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=136215.

GPA calculator: Nova Southeastern University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026