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#12 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

North Central College Admission Requirements

Naperville, Illinois

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Your chances of getting into North Central College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

58.3%
Admission Difficulty for North Central College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Average 

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.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

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

Avg. High School GPA 

3.6

Typical High School Grades 

B+

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.

High School GPA's for admitted North Central College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 28.72% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.7% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.5% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 12.3% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 5.75% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.03% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

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 Range 

1065-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

25%
SAT Scores for North Central College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 535
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1065
SAT Scores for North Central College
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 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 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 admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >72%
1172 to 1280 Avg + 58%-72%
1065 to 1172 Avg - 42%-58%
958 to 1065 Reach 28%-42%
Less than 958 Low <28%
Calculate My Chances 

North Central College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

7%
ACT Scores for North Central College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for North Central College
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 class

Chance 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.

North Central College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >72%
25 to 27 Avg + 58%-72%
23 to 25 Avg - 42%-58%
21 to 23 Reach 28%-42%
Less than 21 Low <28%
Calculate My Chances 

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 for admitted North Central College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 44%
Top 50% of class 90%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

North Central College admission statistics
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%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

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?

North Central College 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 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

High School Credits Accepted at North Central College
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