Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Olathe, Kansas
73.5% Acceptance Rate
MidAmerica Nazarene University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
73.5%Acceptance Rate
3.28Avg GPA
1016Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$53,495Annual Cost
$62,972Grad Salary
28.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
73.5%
Avg GPA
3.28
Avg SAT
1016
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
928–1118
ACT Middle 50%
17–23
Need-Based Aid
28.5% receive Pell
MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU), founded in 1966 in Olathe, Kansas, is a private Christian university affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Ranked #71 in Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News, MNU offers programs in nursing, business, and ministry on its 105-acre campus. The university emphasizes faith-based learning with modern facilities like the Bell Cultural Events Center and the Cunningham Student Center. MNU's ewel' program integrates career preparation with academics, offering internships in the Kansas City metro area.
With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, MNU fosters close mentorship and undergraduate research opportunities. The university's location near Kansas City provides access to healthcare systems, corporations, and cultural institutions. MNU also offers NCAA Division II athletics and a vibrant campus ministry program, blending spiritual growth with professional development.
MidAmerica Nazarene University Acceptance Rate
MidAmerica Nazarene University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 73.5% each year.
What MidAmerica Nazarene College 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 — 73.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.28 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.08 – 3.27
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.83
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
MidAmerica Nazarene College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MidAmerica Nazarene College is 3.28. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.98–3.28 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 3.48–3.68.MidAmerica Nazarene College 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
3.28 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.08 – 3.27
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.88 – 3.07
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.87
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Overall acceptance rate approximately 79%; application requires transcripts and test scores (SAT/ACT required, not test-optional); rolling admissions with no published hard deadline; GPA of 3.42 is the institutional average for admitted students.
- Traditional undergraduates must live on campus unless residing locally with family; required chapel attendance and adherence to a published lifestyle covenant are non-negotiable conditions of enrollment, not optional features.
- Nursing program admits ~35 students per year from 100+ applicants; requires separate application, 2.8 minimum GPA, and two reference letters - far more selective than university-level admission figures imply.
- NAIA member competing in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HEART); won the Commissioner's Cup (overall athletic excellence award) for two consecutive years; junior-year early action available for students with 3.75+ GPA, with priority Honors and performing arts scholarship consideration.
- 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 MidAmerica Nazarene College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on MidAmerica Nazarene 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.
MidAmerica Nazarene University (MidAmerica Nazarene College) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if MidAmerica Nazarene College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into MidAmerica Nazarene College Without SAT or ACT?
MidAmerica Nazarene College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
MidAmerica Nazarene University Average SAT Score: 1016
The average SAT score of admitted students at MidAmerica Nazarene University is 1016 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1016 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1118 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? MidAmerica Nazarene 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 928, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at MidAmerica Nazarene College. 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 | 507 | 465 | 548 |
| SAT Reading | 517 | 463 | 570 |
| SAT Composite | 1016 | 928 | 1118 |
Below 928, you're behind most admitted students; at 1118 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 1000
Can I get into MidAmerica Nazarene University (MidAmerica Nazarene College) with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of MidAmerica Nazarene College'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.
MidAmerica Nazarene University (MidAmerica Nazarene College) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at MidAmerica Nazarene College is 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 17 | 23 |
Can I get into MidAmerica Nazarene University with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of MidAmerica Nazarene College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at MidAmerica Nazarene College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MidAmerica Nazarene College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
MidAmerica Nazarene College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Understand the Lifestyle Covenant Before You Apply - It Governs Daily Campus Life
MNU is a Church of the Nazarene institution, and admission is not just academic - the catalog explicitly states that prospective students who do not meet the university's academic standards or moral principles will be denied admission. Traditional undergraduates are required to attend chapel services, live in campus housing unless they live locally with family, and abide by a published lifestyle policy that restricts alcohol, tobacco, and other behaviors. This is not a buried footnote; it is part of the institutional identity. Students who are genuinely aligned with this community thrive here, but those who apply treating MNU as a generic small university and are surprised by these expectations after enrollment create friction that affects persistence rates.
Nursing Applicants: Treat the Internal Admissions Process as a Separate Competition from University Admission
Getting into MNU as a freshman is straightforward - the overall acceptance rate is roughly 79% and the application requires transcripts and test scores but no supplemental essay for general admission. Nursing is completely different. The program admits approximately 35 students per year from over 100 applicants and requires a minimum 2.8 GPA plus reference letters, and applicants must submit a separate nursing application distinct from university admission. If nursing is your goal, plan the prerequisite sequence from your first semester and submit your nursing application as early as the cycle allows - the program's competitive ratio is tighter than the university's headline number suggests.
Use the Kansas City Metro Proximity as a Career Development Tool, Not Just a Location Perk
MNU's Olathe campus sits roughly 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest with major healthcare systems (KU Health System, Overland Park Regional), business and finance employers, and a growing tech sector. Traditional undergraduates who proactively build connections to this job market through internships, clinical rotations, or professional networks during their four years at MNU arrive at graduation with a genuine regional advantage. Students who stay entirely on campus and treat the metro as background scenery miss the institution's most underutilized asset.
Junior-Year Early Action Is Available - Use It If You Have a 3.75 GPA
MNU accepts early action applications from high school juniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 (weighted or unweighted). Provisional admission at this stage comes with priority consideration for the Honors Program and performing arts scholarships. For strong juniors who are confident MNU fits their faith and academic profile, applying early action as a junior locks in scholarship priority a full year before most competitors begin their college search process - a structural advantage few schools at MNU's acceptance rate level offer.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure pattern at MNU is nursing applicants treating university acceptance as equivalent to nursing program admission. Over 100 students apply to the nursing program each year; approximately 35 are accepted. Students who arrive without a clear prerequisite plan, who accumulate a low GPA in their first two semesters, or who do not obtain reference letters from faculty who can speak concretely to their clinical potential are frequently not admitted to nursing - at a university where nursing is the primary draw for many incoming students.
MidAmerica Nazarene College Profile
Full Name
MidAmerica Nazarene University (MidAmerica Nazarene College)
City
Olathe
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
66062-1899
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a MidAmerica Nazarene College Degree Worth It?
At $53,495/year against a $62,972 median graduate salary, MidAmerica Nazarene College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $69,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.53%.
How much does a degree from MidAmerica Nazarene College Cost?
The sticker price is $53,495/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
28.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 53.1% take federal loans at MidAmerica Nazarene College. File your FAFSA early and list MidAmerica Nazarene College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a MidAmerica Nazarene College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $62,972. That's about 55% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than MidAmerica Nazarene 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 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as MidAmerica Nazarene 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 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than MidAmerica Nazarene 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 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at MidAmerica Nazarene College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MidAmerica Nazarene College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at MidAmerica Nazarene University run about $62,972 a year.
At about $53,495 a year, MidAmerica Nazarene University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 28.5% receive a Pell Grant at MidAmerica Nazarene University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 73.5%, MidAmerica Nazarene University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at MidAmerica Nazarene University average a 3.28 GPA.
MidAmerica Nazarene University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.98 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.88, MidAmerica Nazarene 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 MidAmerica Nazarene University — aim above 1016, ideally within the 928–1118 range admitted students typically fall in.
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.