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Home / College Guide / Northern Illinois University Admissions

Northern Illinois University Acceptance Rate, SAT Scores, GPA & ACT Scores!

Last Updated on Mar 05, 2025
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Northern Illinois University (NIU) is situated in DeKalb, Illinois, approximately 65 miles west of Chicago. Founded in 1895 as the Northern Illinois State Normal School, it initially concentrated on teacher education before evolving into a full-fledged public research university. It has a variety of academic programs and a lively campus life, hence ranking high as an institution for higher learning. NIU has no minimum GPA, SAT exam, or ACT scores requirement, but top candidates score high and have a GPA of 3.0 and above. Knowing NIU's GPA, SAT, and ACT expectations can enable you to enhance your application and gain chances for admission.

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Did You Know Facts About Northern Illinois University? 

  • Established in 1895, NIU began as a teacher training institution before growing into a comprehensive public research university.
  • The university has more than 100 programs of study across different fields such as business, engineering, and health sciences.
  • NIU's Huskie Marching Band is also renowned nationally and has played at prestigious events such as the Orange Bowl.
  • The NIU Huskies play in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and have a rich football tradition.
  • NIU is also the site of Fermilab's Northern Illinois Center for Accelerator and Detector Development, a center for advanced scientific research.

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Elements

Details

College Name

Northern Illinois University (NIU)

College Location

DeKalb, Illinois

Graduation Rate

50%

Acceptance Rate

71%

Early Action Candidates Due

November 15

FAFSA Deadline

February 1

Regular Application Due

August 1 (Fall Term)

SAT Score

Test-Optional

ACT Score

Test-Optional

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Northern Illinois University Admissions Requirements

Northern Illinois University has certain entry requirements that the applicants should fulfill before applying for admission here. The application preferably can be made either through the Common Application or Northern Illinois University's application portal. There should be an application that is balanced between their academic performance and personal experiences, thus a balanced application. The main requirements are as follows:

Requirement

Details

Application Platform

Common Application or NIU Application Portal

SAT Scores

Test-Optional

ACT Scores

Test-Optional

GPA

3.39

Application Requirements

Letters of Recommendation, Extracurricular Activities, Personal Statement/Essay

Application Fee

$40 or fee waiver available

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Northern Illinois University SAT Score Requirements

While Northern Illinois University adopts a test-optional policy, competitive Northern Illinois University SAT scores remain a crucial component for many applicants. The middle 50% of admitted students generally have SAT scores ranging from 960 to 1180 usually. Although NIU considers all elements of the application, stronger SAT scores can improve an applicant’s chances of acceptance.

Northern Illinois University Average SAT Scores

Northern Illinois University maintains competitive SAT score requirements for admission, with admitted students typically scoring between 960 and 1180. However, the Northern Illinois University admissions process considers SAT scores as test optional. This range indicates the academic standards of the university and its expectation of well-prepared students for its programs. Students should target scores within this range to improve their chances of admission.

Northern Illinois University SAT Score Distribution

Applicants with scores below the 25th percentile are likely to be rejected unless other areas of their application are exceptionally strong. In contrast, scores above the 75th percentile put them in a very strong position for entry.

Northern Illinois University Schools that Use SAT Scores

Northern Illinois University’s various colleges and programs may consider SAT scores as part of their admissions process. These include:

  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business
  • College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
  • College of Education
  • College of Health and Human Sciences

Northern Illinois University ACT Scores

While there is no strict minimum requirement, scoring within this range increases your chances of being accepted. NIU considers ACT scores as part of a holistic admissions process, where academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements also play a significant role in the decision-making process.

Northern Illinois University Average ACT Scores for Admitted Students:

The ACT scores are a test optional factor in the admissions process at Northern Illinois University, with average ACT scores for admitted students typically ranging from 19 to 25 usually. Competitive ACT scores can strengthen an applicant’s profile, making them more attractive to the admissions committee.

Read- ACT Reading Strategies

Northern Illinois University GPA Requirements

A strong GPA is a vital component of the admissions process at Northern Illinois University. While there is no formal minimum GPA required for admission, most successful applicants have GPAs of 3.39 or higher. This demonstrates the importance of academic consistency throughout high school.

Northern Illinois University Average GPA of Admitted Students

The admitted students' average GPA is usually between 3.39 on a weighted scale. It usually accepts students with GPAs between 2.9 and 3.5. Although this is the general range, NIU uses a holistic admissions process, looking at extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, and personal accomplishments. A higher GPA strengthens your application, but students with slightly lower GPAs can still be competitive if they excel in other areas.

GPA Range

Average GPA for Admission

Middle 50% Range

3.39

Check- SAT Scores for Ivy Leagues

Northern Illinois University Acceptance Rate

NIU is a moderately selective institution, accepting roughly 71% of applicants. The university receives about 24,039 applications each year and accepts around 17,005 students. This implies that though many students are accepted into the school, the admissions team narrows this down to which students are academically ready for school and show great potential in succeeding. 

Particulars

Details

Total Applicants 

24,039

Admitted Students

17,005

Acceptance Rate

71%

Northern Illinois University Scholarships

NIU provides a range of scholarships to fund students on the basis of merit, financial need, and exceptional achievements. Some of the major scholarships are:

  • Merit Scholarships: Automatically given to entering freshmen on the basis of GPA and test scores, up to full tuition.
  • Huskie Legacy Award: Offers funding to students whose parent or grandparent is a graduate of NIU.
  • NIU Foundation Scholarships: Various donor-sponsored scholarships offered for undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Talent & Athletic Scholarships: Awarded to students who are outstanding in music, arts, sports, and other specialized areas.
  • Honors Program Scholarships: Open to students enrolled in NIU's University Honors Program, promoting academic excellence.

Preparing for the admissions process at Northern Illinois University requires attention to academic standards and a comprehensive application that highlights personal achievements. By focusing on meeting or exceeding the Northern Illinois University SAT and ACT score benchmarks, as well as maintaining a strong GPA, students can significantly improve their chances of being admitted to NIU. 

Acceptance Rate of Top U.S. Universities

Colleges That Uses SAT Scores

Check Colleges Accepting Low ACT Score

College Name

ACT Score

SAT Score

Clark Atlanta University

17–20*

860–1053*

Keiser University

15–21*

Not available*

Barry University

16–20*

860–1062*

Texas Southern University

15–19*

820–980*

Tennessee State University

16–21*

890–1080*

Colleges That Accept 1200 Score In SAT

University

ACT Score

SAT Score

University Of Memphis Admissions

17–24*

930–1175*

Sam Houston State University Admissions

19–25*

950–1130*

Oakland University Admissions

20–27*

900–1150*

University Of North Florida Admissions

20–26*

1010–1200*

Wayne State University Admissions

21–27*

940–1200*

Kean University Admissions

16–25*

910–1150*

Eastern Michigan University Admissions

18–26*

910–1150*

Lamar University Admissions

18–24*

910–1120*

Radford University Admissions

19–26*

950–1150*

Grand Valley State University Admissions

21–28*

950–1180*

Central Connecticut State University Admissions

16–27*

925–1140*

Northern Illinois University Admissions FAQs

NIU has an acceptance rate of 71%, which is a moderately selective university.

NIU is test-optional, but competitive candidates typically have between 960-1180 on the SAT and 19-25 on the ACT.

There is no specific minimum, although a GPA of 2.75 or higher is desired. The majority of admitted students range from 3.0 to 3.8.

Yes, NIU offers merit, need, and talent scholarships such as the Huskie Legacy Award and NIU Foundation Scholarships.

Application Deadlines are as follows: Early Action – November 15, FAFSA – February 1, Regular Admission – August 1 (Fall Term).
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