Your chances of getting into North Central College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at North Central College is 58.3%. Its admission rate is the 13th lowest in Illinois.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into North Central College and can you get accepted?
North Central College is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,056 out of the 5,241 who applied were admitted.
North Central College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into North Central College?
58% 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.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to North Central College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.6 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1170 on the SAT
- Score 25 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top half of your high school class
North Central College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into North Central College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into North Central College are to have around a 3.6 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 North Central College accepts 58% of students who apply.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at North Central College is 3.6 on the 4.0 scale. 29% 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 #15 in Illinois for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since North Central College 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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
North Central College SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to North Central College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 25% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 535 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 530 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1065 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 650 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 630 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1280 |
| Average SAT Score | 1170
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to North Central College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at North Central College is 1170 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1065-1280. Students who get into North Central College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers.. North Central College ranks #13 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1170 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. North Central College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1065 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1065, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 960, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
North Central College 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 1170 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 1172, you have around a 58% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 72% chance of getting in.
North Central College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 21 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 22 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 23 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 28 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 27 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 27 |
| Average ACT Score | 25
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into North Central College?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to North Central College is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 27. The school ranks #14 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 21.
7 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to North Central College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as North Central College 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 2023 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into North Central College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 58% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 72% with a 27 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
90% of North Central College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 20% |
| Top 25% of class | 44% |
| Top 50% of class | 90% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 2,565 | 2,676 | 5,241 |
| Accepted | 1,572 | 1,484 | 3,056 |
| Acceptance Rate | 61% | 55% | 58% |
| Enrolled | 232 | 284 | 516 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 15% | 19% | 17% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Apr 15, 2025.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to North Central College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to North Central College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| 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 considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Recommendations | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | Yes |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because North Central College is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.6 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1170 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1280 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 25 on the ACT places you in a strong position.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to North Central College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147660 IPEDS survey data for North Central College.
Last updated February 24, 2025