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Naperville , IL
North Central College is a private liberal arts college located in Naperville, Illinois. Established in 1861, the college has a long and proud history of providing quality education to its students. North Central College is known for its strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and commitment to experiential learning.
The college offers a wide range of undergraduate majors and minors, including arts and sciences, business, education, and health sciences. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, preparing students for success in their chosen careers. The faculty at North Central College are experts in their fields and are committed to providing a challenging and supportive learning environment for students.
In addition to its academic programs, North Central College offers a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities and organizations. Students have the opportunity to participate in athletics, music, theater, and student government, among other activities. The college is also dedicated to community engagement and encourages students to be active citizens through service-learning projects and internships. Overall, North Central College is a dynamic and inclusive community that fosters intellectual growth, personal development, and social responsibility.
North Central College is a private four-year college located in Naperville, IL. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. The freshman retention rate at North Central College is 77.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 64%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is April 15. Read more about what North Central College has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
2,454
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$45,446
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
64%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. What are the admission requirements for North Central College?
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,554 in 2025. North Central College has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 21.4% and ACT scores 6%. 3% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 42% between 1,200 and 1,399, 39% between 1,000 and 1,199, 10% of the students between 800 and 999, and 6% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 19, 58 between 24-29 and 23 in the range between 18-23.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.57. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to North Central College is April 15.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for North Central College was 77.1%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 64%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best choice for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at North Central College in 2025 was 3,003.
That year, the school had 12% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 2,454 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 102 international students. 279 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,301 male and 1,591 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 93, and the number of African American students was 158. 466 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 100 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 65 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at North Central College? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $45,446 in 2025. Since North Central College is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $530.
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $920.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at North Central College amounted to $13,740 a year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 was $8,220 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 45,446 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,740 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 920 |
| Total Expense | $ 60,106 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at North Central College, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 349 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $38,553 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,620 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,620. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $4,893,571, and state $5,539,290. The students of North Central College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $41,623,735, and external in the amount of $843,945.
$27,228
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 369 students overall (including freshmen) at North Central College in 2025. 91 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $24,721,055. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $742,568 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at North Central College was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 308 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 125 men and 180 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at North Central College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at North Central College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about students' life at North Central College.
Its campus spans 69 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Those who have a talent for music can join the North Central College band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? North Central College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
North Central College has a number of services important for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at North Central College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
FAQ
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North Central College is located in Naperville, IL.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 45,446 USD per academic year for North Central College.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for North Central College is 77%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for North Central College is 77.1%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
