Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Chicago, Illinois
72.8% Acceptance Rate
North Park University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
72.8%Acceptance Rate
3.14Avg GPA
1026Avg SAT
$42,040Annual Cost
$59,572Grad Salary
43.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.8%
Avg GPA
3.14
Avg SAT
1026
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
986–1056
Need-Based Aid
43.2% receive Pell
North Park University, established in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago's North Park neighborhood, is a private Christian university ranked among the best regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News. The university offers 40+ undergraduate programs with particular strengths in nursing, business, and theology through its Seminary. North Park's 30-acre urban campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including the state-of-the-art Johnson Center for Science and Community Life. The university maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and emphasizes experiential learning through its Chicago-centered curriculum.
North Park's location provides students with unparalleled access to internships and cultural opportunities in the nation's third-largest city. The university's signature 'Chicago Semester' program immerses students in professional experiences across various industries. North Park Vikings compete in NCAA Division III athletics, while campus ministry programs reflect the university's Christian heritage. The university is known for its diverse student body and strong Scandinavian-American heritage, hosting the annual Swedish American Museum's Christmas festival.
North Park University Acceptance Rate
At 72.8%, admission to North Park University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What North Park University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 72.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.14 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.94 – 3.13
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.69
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
North Park University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
North Park University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
North Park University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
North Park University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at North Park University is 3.14. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.84–3.14 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.34–3.54.North Park University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.14 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.94 – 3.13
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.74 – 2.93
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.73
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- ~68% acceptance rate; test-optional (SAT/ACT not required, submission can only help)
- Supplemental essay: 500 words on why North Park is a good fit - sources conflict on whether it's required or optional, confirm directly
- Federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution; urban Chicago (North Park neighborhood) campus
- Major-specific scholarships exist (e.g., Hahn Scholarship for future history teachers) beyond general merit aid
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at North Park University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on North Park University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
North Park University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if North Park University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into North Park University Without SAT or ACT?
North Park University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
North Park University Average SAT Score: 1026
The average SAT score of admitted students at North Park University is 1026 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1026 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1056 SAT) to stand out. Below average? North Park University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 986, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at North Park University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1026 | 986 | 1056 |
Below 986, you're behind most admitted students; at 1056 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into North Park University with a 1050 SAT?
A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of North Park University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for North Park University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into North Park University isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Write the required 500-word "why us" essay with real specificity
North Park's supplemental essay directly asks why you want to attend and why it's a good fit - capped at 500 words. Name specific departments, clubs, or programs and connect them explicitly to your academic and professional goals; generic "urban Chicago campus" language reads identically across hundreds of applicants at this school specifically.
Verify current essay/recommendation requirements directly with admissions
Sources conflict here: North Park's own "how to apply" page states a personal essay and one academic reference are required, while Common App's data listing shows no essay or recommendation required for first-year applicants. Confirm directly with North Park's admissions office which is accurate for your specific application cycle rather than assuming either source is current.
Lean into North Park's HSI status and Chicago location deliberately
North Park is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution situated in an urban Chicago neighborhood - both genuinely distinctive among Evangelical Covenant Church-affiliated schools. If either matters to your college search, name them specifically in your essay rather than treating "Chicago" as generic scenery.
Ask about program-specific scholarships tied to your intended major
North Park offers scholarships like the Hahn Scholarship (extra $2,000/year specifically for future history teachers) alongside broader merit awards like the Nyvall Scholarship ($5,000-$22,000/year). Ask admissions directly whether your intended major has a similarly targeted award most students never hear about.
Expert Insight:
Because published sources disagree about whether an essay and recommendation are required, applicants risk either skipping a required piece or over-preparing for something optional - confirm directly with North Park's admissions office rather than relying on any single third-party summary, including this one.
North Park University Profile
Full Name
North Park University
City
Chicago
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60625-4895
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a North Park University Degree Worth It?
Whether North Park University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $70,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.64%.
How much does a degree from North Park University Cost?
The sticker price is $42,040/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
43.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 53.7% take federal loans at North Park University — file your FAFSA early and list North Park University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a North Park University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,572 — about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than North Park University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as North Park University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | 1025 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than North Park University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
Degree Programs at North Park University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About North Park University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at North Park University run about $59,572 a year.
North Park University costs roughly $42,040 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 43.2% receive a Pell Grant at North Park University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 72.8%, North Park University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at North Park University average a 3.14 GPA.
North Park University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.84 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.74, North Park University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at North Park University — aim above 1026, ideally within the 986–1056 range admitted students typically fall in.
North Park University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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