N
Private 4 Year

Northwestern College Admission Requirements

Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Your chances of getting into Northwestern College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

82.3%
Admission Difficulty for Northwestern College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Unavailable 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Northwestern College is 82.3%.  Its admission rate is the 28th lowest in Minnesota.

Admission Selectivity

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

Northwestern College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,165 out of the 1,415 who applied were admitted.

Northwestern College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.58. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 34% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Northwestern College?

82% 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 Northwestern College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.58 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Northwestern College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.58

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Northwestern College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Northwestern College are to have around a 3.58 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.58 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Northwestern College accepts 82% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Northwestern College is 3.58 on the 4.0 scale. 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 #11 in Minnesota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Northwestern 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 Northwestern College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 4.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 46.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 8.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.0% 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 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Northwestern College SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is recommended but not required for admission to Northwestern College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting SAT 

7%
SAT Scores for Northwestern College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
SAT Scores for Northwestern College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average SAT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Northwestern College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT 

94%
ACT Scores for Northwestern College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
ACT Scores for Northwestern College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average ACT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

High School Class Rank

83% of Northwestern College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northwestern College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 17%
Top 25% of class 50%
Top 50% of class 83%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Northwestern College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 751 664 1,415
Accepted 639 526 1,165
Acceptance Rate 85% 79% 82%
Enrolled 222 174 396
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 35% 33% 34%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2024

Days left to Apply

240

Applicants have 240 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northwestern College is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Northwestern College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Northwestern College Application Requirements
Test Scores Recommended
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Considered but not required
Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommended
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Northwestern College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Northwestern College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=174491 IPEDS survey data for Northwestern College.

FAQs

Does Northwestern College prefer SAT or ACT?

7% of students submit their SAT scores to Northwestern College. 94% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Northwestern College?

82% of those who apply are granted admission to Northwestern College. Admission competition is and the college has unavailable admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.