Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Seattle, Washington
North Seattle College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$16,377Annual Cost
$47,728Grad Salary
13.7%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$8,351
Need-Based Aid
13.7% receive Pell
North Seattle College, founded in 1970, is a public community college in Washington. It offers programs in allied health, wood technology, and environmental science. The campus features a STEM building and a childcare center.
NSC is unranked but excels in transfer pathways to UW and other four-year schools. Its urban location supports diverse industries, from tech to green energy.
North Seattle College Acceptance Rate
North Seattle College (NSCC) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
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 NSCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on North Seattle College'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
North Seattle College (NSCC) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into NSCC Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for North Seattle College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for NSCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
NSCC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Apply to the AD B.A.S. or IB B.A.S. cohort by March 15, not just to North Seattle College generally
General admission to North Seattle is open, but its actual bachelor's programs (Application Development B.A.S., International Business B.A.S., and others) are separate, competitive, cohort-based applications with only ~30 seats each and explicit priority weight given to applications received by March 15 for the fall cohort. A student or transfer-in adult should treat general enrollment and the B.A.S. program application as two different gates, and target the March 15 date specifically rather than assuming open admission covers the bachelor's track too.
Build toward the B.A.S. prerequisite GPA floor while still earning the associate degree
The Application Development B.A.S. requires a completed associate degree with a 2.5+ GPA overall and a 2.5+ in every IT-related prerequisite course specifically - not just an overall qualifying average. A student aiming for this pathway should track their IT-course GPA separately from their overall GPA starting in their first quarter, since a single low grade in a prerequisite class (even with a strong overall average) can disqualify them from the cohort.
Choose a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) degree deliberately if the goal is a four-year university, not the B.A.S.
North has DTA agreements with nearly all four-year colleges in Washington state plus HBCU partners - an AA-DTA or AS-DTA transfers as a recognized package that fulfills most lower-division gen-ed requirements and can grant junior standing. This is a different track from the in-house B.A.S. programs; a student and advisor need to pick DTA vs. B.A.S. explicitly at the start, since course sequencing diverges (DTA students should not load up on the AD B.A.S.-specific prerequisites unless they're keeping that door open).
Use Running Start for local high schoolers to bank free college credit before applying anywhere else
Washington high school juniors/seniors under 18 without a diploma yet can dual-enroll tuition-free through Running Start, submitting a separate application packet distinct from standard admission. This is the highest-leverage move for a local family since it effectively front-loads the DTA general education requirements at no tuition cost - a counselor should flag this to any eligible junior before they've spent a summer weighing other options.
Expert Insight:
Because North Seattle blends true open admission at the general level with quietly competitive, capacity-capped B.A.S. programs, students often assume that being "in" as a North Seattle student means they're on track for the bachelor's degree - then discover in their final associate-degree quarter that the B.A.S. cohort they wanted has already filled from March applicants, forcing a lost year waiting for the next cohort.
NSCC Profile
Full Name
North Seattle College (NSCC)
City
Seattle
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98103-3599
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a NSCC Degree Worth It?
Getting into NSCC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. NSCC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at NSCC is $65,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.41%.
How much does a degree from NSCC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at North Seattle College is $16,377. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at North Seattle College is $8,351.
13.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 2.2 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to NSCC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At North Seattle College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist NSCC as your choice in the form.
How much does a NSCC Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $47,728. An average NSCC 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 $40,595.
Degree Programs at NSCC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by North Seattle College →
Frequently Asked Questions About NSCC Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $47,728 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $16,377 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
13.7% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.