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Nova Southeastern University

#384 in US ranking Fort Lauderdale, FL
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Nova Southeastern University award
Nova Southeastern University award

Cost

Cost / year
$55,277
Tuition & fees
$40,200
Avg. aid
$23,575
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
73%
SAT range
1030–1300
ACT range
19–28

Outcomes

Graduation rate
63%
Median salary
$66,106
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Nova Southeastern University?

Nova Southeastern University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation of an individual professional program.

That distinction is especially important at NSU. Fields such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, law, and psychology can have their own accrediting bodies, and the applicable status can vary by degree or training pathway. Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility, but it does not by itself guarantee that credits will transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license. Applicants pursuing a licensed occupation should check the exact program's accreditation and the rules of the state where they expect to practice.

What are the admission requirements at Nova Southeastern University?

First-year undergraduate applicants generally submit an application, a secondary-school record, and the supporting materials required for their chosen admission pathway. NSU considers academic preparation, including high school coursework and GPA; its reported admissions criteria also include recommendations. Applicants with a GED or another high-school equivalency credential should confirm how to document it.

SAT and ACT scores are considered but are not universally required for undergraduate admission. Among enrolled first-time students who submitted scores in the reported admissions data, the median SAT composite was 1175 and the median ACT composite was 25. Those figures describe score submitters, not a minimum for admission. NSU admitted approximately 73% of first-year applicants in the reported cycle, so applicants should not interpret admission as automatic. International applicants may need to demonstrate English proficiency, including through TOEFL or another accepted measure. Deadlines, essays, scholarships, and test rules can differ for selective majors and combined-degree programs; applicants should use the requirements for their specific entry term and pathway.

What are the application fees and waivers at Nova Southeastern University?

The reported standard undergraduate application fee is $50. An application fee pays for processing an application; it is separate from any enrollment deposit, tuition payment, or housing charge.

Fee rules can differ by application route and applicant category, particularly for graduate and professional programs. Applicants who need a waiver should check the instructions for the application they intend to submit and seek approval before paying: a waiver is generally applied during submission rather than treated as a refund afterward. Eligibility and documentation requirements may vary by route, so applicants should not assume that a waiver for one application also covers a separate professional-school application.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Nova Southeastern University?

Army ROTC is identified as an opportunity for NSU students. ROTC arrangements can involve instruction or administration through a partner institution, so students should confirm where training takes place, how to register, and which university serves as the host before building it into a class schedule.

ROTC participation and an ROTC scholarship are separate matters. Scholarship applicants face additional eligibility and selection requirements, while commissioning normally entails a military service obligation. Students interested in another service branch should verify a current cross-enrollment arrangement with that branch's ROTC program rather than assuming that participation is available on the NSU campus.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Nova Southeastern University?

NSU accepts transfer applicants and generally considers coursework completed at accredited institutions. Transfer admission and the acceptance of individual credits are separate decisions: being admitted does not mean that every prior course will satisfy a degree requirement.

Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from each college attended; high school records may also be relevant depending on their college-credit history and program. Reported transfer-credit options include qualifying CLEP and DSST examinations. NSU has accepted transfer entry in fall, winter, spring, and summer terms, but available starts and deadlines depend on the major. Students should request an official credit evaluation and ask which credits count toward general education, the major, and the minimum number of credits that must be completed at NSU. Programs with sequenced courses or clinical requirements may apply additional restrictions.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Nova Southeastern University?

NSU students can explore international education, including study-abroad opportunities that may be short-term, faculty-led, or arranged through approved programs. Availability depends on the term, destination, major, and any program-specific academic or safety requirements.

Before committing to a program, students need approval for how its courses will apply to their NSU degree. They should also compare program charges with ordinary tuition and ask whether their grants, scholarships, or loans can be used abroad. That review is particularly important for students in tightly sequenced majors, who may have less flexibility about when they can take required courses.

Nova Southeastern University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1030–1300
4001600
ACT range
19–28
136
Acceptance rate
73%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
73%
Florida
69%
US
78%

16% of admitted students enrolled (2,030 of 13,006)

Nova Southeastern University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 17,765
Admission
Total: 13,006
Enrolled
Total: 2,030
Women
Men

How to Apply to Nova Southeastern University

Application fee

$50

Early Decision

Yes, deadline November 1

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Nova Southeastern University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,125
Out-of-state: 772
International: 126

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 2,030
Transfer: 449

Nova Southeastern University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1175

Median composite ACT score

25

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

14%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

47%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

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

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Nova Southeastern University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

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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