Northwest Nazarene University Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

Nampa, ID · Private · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 65% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 515–630 reading and writing, 490–610 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 22–27 composite
  • Average net price: $27,291 a year (2022–23)
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Add a test score to compare it with what Northwest Nazarene University reported: an acceptance rate of 65% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 22–27.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Northwest Nazarene University reviews each application.

Northwest Nazarene University GPA requirements

Northwest Nazarene University requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Northwest Nazarene University hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

Northwest Nazarene University acceptance rate

Northwest Nazarene University admitted 2,102 of 3,247 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 65%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Northwest Nazarene University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Nampa, Idaho, with 1,043 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered Northwest Nazarene University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing515570630
SAT Math490550610
ACT Composite222427
ACT English202428
ACT Math202428
44% submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores, as Northwest Nazarene University reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1130 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What Northwest Nazarene University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Not considered
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Not considered
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Not considered
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with Northwest Nazarene University's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

Northwest Nazarene University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $27,291 a year at Northwest Nazarene University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Is it easy to get into Northwest Nazarene University?

Somewhat: more than half of applicants got in. Northwest Nazarene University admitted 65% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

Does Northwest Nazarene University require the SAT or ACT?

No. Northwest Nazarene University is test optional: it considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 44% sent SAT scores and 7% sent ACT scores.

What SAT and ACT scores do Northwest Nazarene University students have?

The middle 50% of Northwest Nazarene University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 515–630 in reading and writing and 490–610 in math; ACT composite 22–27, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

What is the acceptance rate at Northwest Nazarene University?

Northwest Nazarene University's acceptance rate was 65% for fall 2024: it admitted 2,102 of 3,247 first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

What GPA does Northwest Nazarene University look for?

Northwest Nazarene University requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

How important is GPA for getting into Northwest Nazarene University?

A lot: Northwest Nazarene University requires high school GPA and high school record. It considers high school class rank, college preparatory program and test scores if you send them. It doesn't consider recommendations, essay or personal statement, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Is a 3.0 GPA good enough for Northwest Nazarene University?

GPA alone can't tell you here. Northwest Nazarene University admitted 65% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.0 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

Can you get college credit for AP scores at Northwest Nazarene University?

Yes. Northwest Nazarene University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Does it matter at Northwest Nazarene University if a parent went there?

No. Northwest Nazarene University doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What do students pay at Northwest Nazarene University after grants?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $27,291 a year at Northwest Nazarene University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: Northwest Nazarene UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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