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#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

Northern Illinois Admission Requirements

Dekalb, Illinois

 2 Reviews

Chances of getting into Northern Illinois University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
70%
Admission Difficulty for Northern Illinois University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Low 
How hard is it to get into Northern Illinois and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at Northern Illinois is 70%.  It ranks #22 in Illinois for lowest rate of acceptance. Northern Illinois is a moderately competitive school to get into with a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the requirements. Last year, 15,922 out of 22,602 applicants were admitted.

The school has easy admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 64 percent on standardized admission tests. Northern Illinois University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.3. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

The Northern Illinois application fee is $40 and applications are due by May 1.

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required or recommended by Northern Illinois University.

Northern Illinois SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
940-1170
Applicants Submitting SAT 
51%
SAT Scores for Northern Illinois University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 470
SAT Math 25th 470
SAT Composite 25th 940
SAT Scores for Northern Illinois University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 590
SAT Math 75th 580
SAT Composite 75th 1170
Average SAT Score 1060

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Northern Illinois University?

Northern Illinois University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "neither required nor recommended".

Students who get into Northern Illinois University score in the top 71 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 940-1170.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

Northern Illinois University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1170 and Above Good >82%
1055 to 1170 Avg + 70%-82%
940 to 1055 Avg - 55%-70%
825 to 940 Reach 39%-55%
Less than 825 Low <39%
Calculate My Chances 

Northern Illinois ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
19-25 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
30%
ACT Scores for Northern Illinois University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 18
ACT Math 25th 17
ACT Composite 25th 19
ACT Scores for Northern Illinois University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 25
ACT Math 75th 25
ACT Composite 75th 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Northern Illinois?

Northern Illinois University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "neither required nor recommended".

Northern Illinois regularly accepts students who score 19 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 56 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 19-25.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Northern Illinois University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >82%
22 to 25 Avg + 70%-82%
19 to 22 Avg - 55%-70%
16 to 19 Reach 39%-55%
Less than 16 Low <39%
Calculate My Chances 

Northern Illinois GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.3
Typical High School Grades 
B+

What GPA do you need to get into Northern Illinois University?

Applicants require above average high school grades to get into Northern Illinois. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Northern Illinois University was 3.3 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #37 in Illinois for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Northern Illinois accepts 70% of students who apply.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted Northern Illinois University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 16.41% Good
3.75 to 3.99 12.4% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 13.22% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.92% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.9% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 19.95% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 7.16% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.04% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

72% of Northern Illinois University freshman were in the top half of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northern Illinois University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 14%
Top 25% of class 36%
Top 50% of class 72%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Northern Illinois University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 13,084 9,477 22,602
Accepted 9,502 6,396 15,922
Acceptance Rate 73% 67% 70%
Enrolled 1,272 1,013 2,285
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 16% 14%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications are Due
May 1, 2023
Days left to Apply
41

Applicants have 41 days left until the Fall 2023 term applications are due on May 1, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northern Illinois University is $40.

Application Requirements

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

Northern Illinois University Application Requirements
Test Scores Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Required
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Neither required nor recommended
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Northern Illinois University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147703 IPEDS survey data for Northern Illinois University.

FAQs

Does Northern Illinois University prefer SAT or ACT?

51% of students submit their SAT scores to Northern Illinois. 30% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Northern Illinois University?

70% of those who apply are granted admission to Northern Illinois. Admission competition is low and the college has easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Northern Illinois University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 940 and 1170. 51% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Northern Illinois University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 25. 30% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.