Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Lincoln, Nebraska
83.8% Acceptance Rate
Nebraska Wesleyan University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.8%Acceptance Rate
3.7Avg GPA
1209Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$53,350Annual Cost
$56,405Grad Salary
29.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.8%
Avg GPA
3.7
Avg SAT
1209
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1210
ACT Middle 50%
22–27
Need-Based Aid
29.6% receive Pell
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private, liberal arts university known for its commitment to academic rigor, student-faculty research, and character development. With a long history of excellence, the university provides a comprehensive education that prepares students for lifelong learning and leadership in a variety of professional fields.
Nebraska Wesleyan University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Nebraska Wesleyan University is inclusive by design. 83.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.25
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Nebraska Wesleyan University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Nebraska Wesleyan 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
Nebraska Wesleyan 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 (Priority: 2026/12/01) 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.
Nebraska Wesleyan University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Nebraska Wesleyan University is 3.7. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.40 and 3.7? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.90–4.10.Nebraska Wesleyan University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.30 – 3.49
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.29
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The Wesleyan Honors Academy offers NACEP-accredited dual credit taught by trained high school instructors at $95/credit hour with zero textbook/lab fees, plus unlimited-course ACE scholarships for financial need.
- Nursing (BSN/MSN) is CCNE-accredited; Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy are graduate-level only, requiring a separate application after completing an undergraduate degree.
- NWU is Nebraska's only NCAA Division III university, competing in 21 sports as the Prairie Wolves.
- Program-specific accreditations include Athletic Training (CAATE), Chemistry (ACS), Education (AAQEP), Music (NASM), and Social Work (CSWE, MSW program in Second Year Candidacy).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 Nebraska Wesleyan University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Nebraska Wesleyan University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Nebraska Wesleyan University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Nebraska Wesleyan University Without SAT or ACT?
Nebraska Wesleyan University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Nebraska Wesleyan University Average SAT Score: 1209
Admitted students at Nebraska Wesleyan University average a 1209 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1209 — Slightly Competitive
A 1209 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1210 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Nebraska Wesleyan University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1020? A retake is worth it at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 520 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1209 | 1020 | 1210 |
A score under 1020 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1210+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Nebraska Wesleyan University with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Nebraska Wesleyan University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Nebraska Wesleyan University ACT Requirements
Nebraska Wesleyan University's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 20 | 26 |
| ACT English | 25 | 21 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 27 |
Can I get into Nebraska Wesleyan University with a 27 ACT?
At 27, you're in the top quarter of Nebraska Wesleyan University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Nebraska Wesleyan University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Nebraska Wesleyan University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Nebraska Wesleyan University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Use the Wesleyan Honors Academy for genuinely free-standing dual credit taught by your own teachers
NWU's Honors Academy lets qualified high schools offer NWU-equivalent college courses taught by their own trained instructors - a NACEP-accredited concurrent enrollment model, not a generic dual-credit arrangement. Tuition is just $95/credit hour with zero textbook or lab fees, and financially eligible students can access ACE scholarships covering an unlimited number of courses. If your high school participates, this is a genuinely low-cost way to bank real NWU credit before you even apply - ask your counselor whether your school is a participating site.
Nursing applicants: your BSN/MSN accreditation is CCNE-specific, and PT/OT run through separate graduate applications
NWU's undergraduate and master's nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) specifically - verify this matches what your target employer or state board requires. Also note that Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy at NWU are graduate-level programs only; a freshman can't declare into them directly, so build a pre-PT/pre-OT undergraduate plan with the explicit goal of a separate graduate application later, not an assumption of direct entry.
Leverage NWU's NCAA Division III status if athletics matter to your college experience
NWU is Nebraska's only NCAA Division III university, competing in 21 sports as the Prairie Wolves. If you want to continue competing athletically without the recruiting and scholarship dynamics of Division I/II, and value being the only in-state option with this specific classification, this is a genuine differentiator worth factoring into your decision alongside academics.
Confirm program-specific accreditation before assuming general HLC accreditation covers you
Beyond its overall Higher Learning Commission accreditation, NWU holds separate, program-specific accreditations: Athletic Training (CAATE), Chemistry (ACS), Education (AAQEP), Music (NASM), and Social Work (CSWE, with the MSW currently in Second Year Candidacy status). If your intended field has a licensing or certification body, confirm the specific programmatic accreditation applies to your program and year of enrollment rather than assuming institutional accreditation alone is sufficient.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes research "Nebraska actuarial science" or similar program searches and land on information for the much larger University of Nebraska?Lincoln rather than Nebraska Wesleyan University specifically - these are separate institutions with different programs, faculty, and admission processes despite similar names. Confirm you're researching NWU's own program pages (nebrwesleyan.edu) rather than UNL's when comparing offerings.
Nebraska Wesleyan University Profile
Full Name
Nebraska Wesleyan University
City
Lincoln
State
Nebraska
ZIP Code
68504-2794
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Nebraska Wesleyan University Degree Worth It?
Whether Nebraska Wesleyan 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $59,200, and graduates see a 2.12% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $53,350/year at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Nebraska Wesleyan University, 29.6% receive a Pell Grant and 55.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Nebraska Wesleyan University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Nebraska Wesleyan University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates report a median income of $56,405, about 39% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Nebraska Wesleyan University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Nebraska Wesleyan University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Nebraska Wesleyan University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Nebraska Wesleyan University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Wesleyan University Admissions
Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $56,405/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Nebraska Wesleyan University runs high, at roughly $53,350+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
29.6% of Nebraska Wesleyan University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Nebraska Wesleyan University's acceptance rate is 83.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Nebraska Wesleyan University students is 3.7, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.4 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.3 or below makes admission tougher at Nebraska Wesleyan University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Nebraska Wesleyan University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1209, and within the 1020–1210 range, keeps you competitive.
Nebraska Wesleyan University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority: 2026/12/01. That's Nebraska Wesleyan University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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