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North Park University

#704 in US ranking Chicago, IL
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$45,761
Tuition & fees
$37,950
Avg. aid
$22,501
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
69%
Avg. SAT
1026
Avg. ACT
23

Outcomes

Graduation rate
58%
Median salary
$47,478
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of North Park University?

North Park University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from any specialized accreditation or approval that may apply to an individual professional program.

Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and to how other institutions evaluate credits, but it does not guarantee that another college will accept a course or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license. Students considering nursing, education, or another licensed occupation should check the current status and requirements of their particular program against the rules of the state where they hope to practice.

What are the admission requirements at North Park University?

North Park University does not have an open-admission policy. First-year applicants should expect to submit an application and evidence of high school completion or an equivalent credential, along with the academic information needed for an admission review.

The university's admissions reporting identifies high school GPA as required. SAT and ACT scores are neither required nor recommended in the reported requirements, and recommendations may be considered but are not required. Applicants should not treat an optional recommendation or test result as a substitute for the academic record. Some programs may have additional entry or progression requirements after admission to the university.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, North Park admitted 2,952 of 4,309 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 69%. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an individual's likelihood of admission. International applicants should check the university's current instructions for documenting English proficiency and prior education; requirements can differ from those for applicants educated in the United States.

What are the application fees and waivers at North Park University?

North Park's undergraduate application is generally offered without an application fee. Applicants should confirm the charge, if any, on the application route they actually use before submitting, particularly if they are applying to a graduate or professional program rather than as a first-year undergraduate.

An application fee is different from an enrollment deposit or other charge that may arise after admission. If an application displays a fee unexpectedly, the admissions office can clarify whether the applicant category or application method has a different policy before payment is made.

What types of ROTC programs are available at North Park University?

North Park students have reported access to Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC through cooperating host institutions, rather than through units operated directly on the North Park campus. Participation would therefore involve another institution's training schedule and travel arrangements.

ROTC admission, scholarship selection, and university admission are separate processes. Interested students should establish which host program currently accepts North Park cross-enrollees, whether their class schedule permits participation, and what military service obligation would accompany any scholarship or commissioning path. They should not assume that joining ROTC automatically provides a scholarship.

What are the requirements for transfer students at North Park University?

North Park accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credits from other accredited institutions. Reported entry terms include fall and spring. Transfer admission and the decision to apply a particular course toward a North Park degree are separate determinations.

Applicants should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended. The admissions office may also request earlier academic records depending on an applicant's background. North Park reports accepting certain CLEP subject examinations and awarding Advanced Placement credit; students should obtain written confirmation of how any examination or prior coursework applies to their intended major.

A useful transfer evaluation identifies more than the number of credits accepted. It should show which courses satisfy general education, major, prerequisite, and elective requirements, and which requirements must be completed at North Park. This is especially important for sequenced programs such as nursing and education, where accepted elective credit may not shorten the path to graduation.

What types of study abroad programs are available at North Park University?

North Park offers international study opportunities, including options that can vary by destination, term length, and academic program. Students considering a semester abroad or a shorter faculty-led experience should establish whether North Park operates the program itself or approves it through a partner.

Before committing, students need academic approval for courses they expect to count toward a degree. They should also ask how the program affects tuition, housing charges, scholarships, and other financial aid: eligibility for aid at North Park does not mean every overseas expense will be covered. Students in majors with tightly sequenced courses or clinical placements may need to plan further ahead.

North Park University Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT
1026
Avg. ACT
23
Acceptance rate
69%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
69%
Illinois
77%
US
78%

14% of admitted students enrolled (423 of 2,952)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

North Park University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 4,309
Admission
Total: 2,952
Enrolled
Total: 423
Women
Men

How to Apply to North Park University

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

North Park University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 297
Out-of-state: 76
International: 39

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 423
Transfer: 137

North Park University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1026

Median composite ACT score

23

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Neither required nor recommended

Completion of college-preparatory program

Neither required nor recommended

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Considered but not required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

North Park University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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