Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Mount Vernon, Ohio
84.3% Acceptance Rate
Mount Vernon Nazarene University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
84.3%Acceptance Rate
3.55Avg GPA
1119Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$48,975Annual Cost
$49,555Grad Salary
28.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.3%
Avg GPA
3.55
Avg SAT
1119
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
963–1228
ACT Middle 50%
18–25
Need-Based Aid
28.9% receive Pell
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, Christian university in Ohio dedicated to providing a transformative education based on the liberal arts. Known for its supportive and mission-oriented community, the university emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual development, and service to others.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Acceptance Rate
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 84.3% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 84.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.55 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.35 – 3.54
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.10
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mount Vernon Nazarene 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
MVNU 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 (March 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.
MVNU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MVNU is 3.55. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.25 and 3.55? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.75–3.95.MVNU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.55 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.35 – 3.54
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.15 – 3.34
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.14
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- MVNU is one of several regional Nazarene-affiliated colleges/universities in the U.S., each bound by an informal agreement not to actively recruit outside its own assigned educational region.
- Average enrolled student profile: ACT composite around 22, SAT composite around 1119, average HS GPA around 3.61; acceptance rate is approximately 84% in recent data.
- Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are considered but not strictly required; TOEFL is mandated for students whose first language is not English.
- WNZR is a real, functioning campus radio station broadcasting 24/7 Adult Contemporary Christian music and chapel services, doubling as hands-on training for broadcasting coursework; chapel attendance credit requirements vary by class year.
- 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 MVNU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Mount Vernon 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.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if MVNU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into MVNU Without SAT or ACT?
MVNU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Average SAT Score: 1119
The average SAT score of admitted students at Mount Vernon Nazarene University is 1119 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1119 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1228 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Mount Vernon 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 963, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at MVNU. 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 | 548 | 478 | 618 |
| SAT Reading | 548 | 485 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1119 | 963 | 1228 |
Below 963, you're behind most admitted students; at 1228 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 1100
Can I get into Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of MVNU'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.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at MVNU is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 25 |
Can I get into Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of MVNU's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 MVNU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MVNU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
MVNU takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Reach out proactively if you're outside MVNU's assigned recruitment region
Nazarene-affiliated colleges generally don't actively recruit outside their own assigned educational region (Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia districts for MVNU). A student outside this region interested in MVNU should reach out proactively rather than waiting to be recruited, since standard outreach may not extend to their area.
Leverage WNZR for real on-air experience if pursuing communication or media
WNZR is a genuine, functioning 24/7 broadcast operation that doubles as a hands-on classroom for radio broadcasting coursework - giving Communication students actual on-air production experience as part of the curriculum, not just theory.
Confirm your specific chapel credit requirement by class year
Required chapel attendance credits vary depending on whether a student is a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. A transfer student or upperclassman should confirm the exact credit requirement for their specific year rather than assuming a flat universal number applies.
Ask about application fee waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier
MVNU offers fee waivers under specific financial-need circumstances, often verified through documentation or program participation - a real, actionable option for students who might otherwise skip applying over the fee itself.
Expert Insight:
Search sources report meaningfully different acceptance-rate figures for MVNU (75.8% in a 2018 historical figure vs. 84% in more recent aggregator data). While recent figures cluster fairly consistently around 84%, treat any single number as an estimate and confirm current-cycle admission data directly with MVNU admissions.
MVNU Profile
Full Name
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU)
City
Mount Vernon
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
43050-9500
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a MVNU Degree Worth It?
Whether MVNU 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 $60,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.84%.
How much does a degree from MVNU Cost?
The sticker price is $48,975/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
28.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 56.6% take federal loans at MVNU — file your FAFSA early and list MVNU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a MVNU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,555 — about 22% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Vernon Nazarene University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Mount Vernon Nazarene University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Vernon 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, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at MVNU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MVNU Admissions
Median earnings for Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates sit around $49,555 a year.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University costs roughly $48,975 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 28.9% receive a Pell Grant at Mount Vernon Nazarene University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 84.3%, Mount Vernon Nazarene University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Mount Vernon Nazarene University average a 3.55 GPA.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.25 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.15, Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon Nazarene University — aim above 1119, ideally within the 963–1228 range admitted students typically fall in.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 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.