NNU Admission Requirements

Open Admission Policy

Can I get into NNU? Northwest Nazarene University is an open admission policy institution. Open admission colleges typically have few admission thresholds and will admit all applicants so long as certain minimum requirements are met. New admission is often granted continually throughout the year. Please consult Northwest Nazarene University directly to learn the specifics of its open admission policy.

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into Northwest Nazarene University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into NNU are to have around a 3.59 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as NNU accepts 63% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at NNU is 3.59 on the 4.0 scale. 25% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. 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 #1 in Idaho for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since NNU 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 3.6 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.

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Northwest Nazarene University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 55% of students submitted SAT scores and 42% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at NNU is 1080 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 940-1210. Students who get into Northwest Nazarene University score in the top 71 percent of all SAT test takers..  NNU ranks #6 in the state of Idaho for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1080 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. NNU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 940 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 940, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 800, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Northwest Nazarene 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 1080 SAT score range.

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 1075, you have around a 63% chance of being admitted. A 1210 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 76% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into NNU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to NNU is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 31.  The school ranks #1 in Idaho and #207 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

42 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Northwest Nazarene University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Northwest Nazarene 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

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into NNU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 63% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 76% with a 31 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

80% of Northwest Nazarene University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 39% are in the top quarter.

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northwest Nazarene University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

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

Credits Accepted