Northwest Nazarene University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Northwest Nazarene University (Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor) is 88.19%. This means that 88 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitiveness is Northwest Nazarene University Admissions?
- Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
Northwest Nazarene University Admission Requirements
Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor is 3.59. Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.29 and 3.59, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.19 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor Without SAT Or ACT?: Northwest Nazarene University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Northwest Nazarene University (Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Northwest Nazarene University Average SAT Score: 1139
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Northwest Nazarene University is 1139 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Northwest Nazarene University SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1139 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1240 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Northwest Nazarene University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1000, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Northwest Nazarene University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 560 | 510 | 610 |
SAT Reading | 560 | 490 | 630 |
SAT Composite | 1139 | 1000 | 1240 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1000 then you are below most of the admitted students at Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1240 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Northwest Nazarene University (Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor) with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Northwest Nazarene University (Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor) are good but the admission staff at Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Northwest Nazarene University (Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor is 23.
Northwest Nazarene University ACT Competitiveness

This score makes Northwest Nazarene University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 23 on the ACT.
Northwest Nazarene University ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 26 |
ACT English | 23 | 17 | 29 |
ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 27 |
Can I get into Northwest Nazarene University with a 27 ACT?
With a 27 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Northwest Nazarene University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Northwest Nazarene University. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 23.Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor Profile
Name: Northwest Nazarene University (Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor)
City: Nampa
URL: https://www.nnu.edu/
State: Idaho
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 83686-5897
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
How much does a degree from Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Northwest Nazarene University is USD: 46897. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Northwest Nazarene University is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
26.91% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 54.04 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Northwest Nazarene University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor as your choice in the form.
How much a Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 51719. An average Northwest Nazarene University/Northwest Nazarene College/NNU/NNC/Nor graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Northwest Nazarene University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Northwest Nazarene University, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1094 | 22 |
Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1091 | 21 |
University of Arkansas at Little Rock | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR | 1089 | 21 |
Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas Tech University, AR | 1090 | 21 |
University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Southern California Institute of Architecture | Southern California Institute of Architecture, CA | 1100 | NA |
University of Northern Colorado | University of Northern Colorado, CO | 1106 | 24 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Northwest Nazarene University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Northwest Nazarene University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
Fort Lewis College | Fort Lewis College, CO | 1147 | 22 |
Regis University | Regis University, CO | 1149 | 24 |
Georgia College & State University | Georgia College & State University, GA | 1144 | 24 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Northwest Nazarene University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1218 | 26 |
Harding University | Harding University, AR | 1182 | 24 |
John Brown University | John Brown University, AR | 1218 | 26 |
Ouachita Baptist University | Ouachita Baptist University, AR | 1180 | 25 |
Dominican University of California | Dominican University of California, CA | 1192 | 24 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Chemistry
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Computer Software and Media Applications
Full list of All degree programs offered by Northwest Nazarene University.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.