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North Central College SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT Range1040 to 1310

ACT Range24 to 29

Average GPA3.57

Acceptance Rate77.3%

North Central’s 77% acceptance rate gives you room to build a balanced college list, so your strategy should be showing steady academic fit rather than chasing a reach-school profile. Because it is test-optional and SAT submitters are more common than ACT submitters, consider sending an SAT score only if it is near the top of the middle range, around 1310.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

North Central College facts and stats

Quick Facts

North Central College enrolls 2,454 undergraduates in a suburban campus setting. North Central has a 77% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%, and its 6-year graduation rate is 64%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.

Location

Naperville, IL

Undergrad Enrollment2,454

Freshman Retention77%

SettingSuburban

Student to Faculty Ratio12:1

Graduation Rate64%

Test PolicyTest-optional

How do your scores compare at North Central?

SAT score card showing a 1520 score with an unlocked lock

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Key North Central College application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

April 15

Early Action

Not offered

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

December 1

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit scores to test-optional North Central, take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then reserve the summer before senior year and senior fall for retakes that could improve your superscore. With the Regular Decision deadline on April 15, a December retake should still arrive in time.

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What you'll actually pay

North Central’s tuition and fees are $45,726, with 72% of students receiving aid. The average merit award is $29,314, which can reduce the billed cost for qualifying students. Submit the FAFSA by the December 1 priority deadline to be considered for financial aid.

Tuition and Fees$45,726

Room and Board$13,356

Average Merit Award$29,314

Application FeeN/A

Students on Aid72%

Average Aid Package$39,015

Average Debt at Grad$34,390

At North Central College, tuition and fees plus room and board total about $59,082 per year before aid. Aid is common: 72% of students receive aid, with an average package of $39,015. Merit awards average $29,314, which can reduce the listed price for qualifying students. Graduates leave with average debt of $34,390.