Admit rate has ranged 53%–68% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (77%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
North Central College is a small, liberal arts-focused institution in the affluent Chicago suburb of Naperville, where a 12:1 student-faculty ratio fosters close mentorship and a hands-on academic culture. Its vibe is that of a supportive, residential community where over 100 student organizations animate campus life, though more than half of students live off-campus. The school's identity is defined by its practical, career-oriented liberal arts curriculum, a notable focus on first-generation student success, and a graduation rate that, while improving, reflects its mission of access.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,428
In-state tuition
$45,726
Out-of-state tuition
$45,726
Graduation Rate
64%
On-Campus Housing
49%
Demonstrated Interest
Not Considered
Student-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$60,123
First-Year Persistence Rate
71%
Career/Grad School Placement (6 months)
84%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$60,123
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.9×
Median debt at graduation
$24,500
Graduation rate
64%
First-year retention
77%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
75%
Pell (lower-income) share
24%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
27%
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$63,501
Accounting and Related Services$58,921
Economics$56,641
Finance and Financial Management Services$46,478
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$45,584
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
85
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
21°F
Annual rain
47.3"
Annual snow
30.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
147
Scholarly works
3,693
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.1%
Bottom → top quintile
32%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at North Central College?
North Central College's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Naperville, IL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for North Central College?
Admitted students at North Central College typically score 1055–1310 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does North Central College cost?
At North Central College, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,044 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend North Central College?
North Central College enrolls approximately 2,428 undergraduate students.
Where is North Central College located?
North Central College is located in Naperville, IL.
Admissions
North Central College operates with a moderately selective admissions process, accepting a significant majority of its applicants. The admissions office reports that it does not have an open admission policy and considers a range of factors in its decisions. According to the , the most important factors in first-time, first-year admission decisions are the applicant's secondary school record, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and class rank. The rigor of the secondary school record is also considered important. Notably, the college states that demonstrated interest is not considered in admissions decisions, a policy reported via the Common Data Set framework. While the school offers an Early Decision option, specific data on the for ED applicants or the share of the class filled through ED is not detailed in the provided sources. The admitted student profile shows a middle 50% SAT range and indicates a student body where academic performance in high school is a key differentiator.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$45,500
Human Resources Management and Services$45,305
Business Administration, Management and Operations$43,240
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics at North Central are characterized by intimate scale and a focus on undergraduate mentorship. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, the environment encourages "individual research and independent study," with professors actively supporting student initiative. The curriculum is built around a liberal arts core, but with a distinctly practical, career-oriented bent. Popular majors reflect this blend, with Psychology, Marketing/Marketing Management, and Finance among the most pursued. The college promotes its education as one that prepares students "for your career and for life," integrating traditional liberal arts disciplines like English studies, political science, and psychology with professional readiness. This hands-on approach extends beyond the classroom, with the college highlighting opportunities for students to stay connected and engaged with their fields of study.
Life at North Central revolves around a compact, walkable campus in downtown Naperville, a suburb consistently ranked among the nation's best places to live. The college describes student life as built on "sharing experiences, helping others and making lifelong friends." A key feature is the breadth of student organizations—over 100 groups host educational, cultural, and social activities. However, the residential experience is split: only 49% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, meaning a slight majority (51%) live off-campus. This creates a dynamic where a significant portion of the student body commutes, potentially impacting the intensity of on-campus social life outside of structured events and classes. Student reviews often mention the "supportive community" and "small class sizes" as defining positives, alongside the aesthetic appeal and navigability of the campus itself.
Outcomes data for North Central graduates tells a story of incremental success and strong initial career placement. The college's overall persistence rate is reported at 71%. Most notably, 84% of graduates launch their careers or attend graduate school within six months of graduation. The college also highlights successful outcomes for its Cardinal First program for students, with graduation rates for cohorts from Fall 2015 to Fall 2018 reaching 80% for first-gen students who completed the program—a figure that outpaces the general institutional rate. External sources report a median salary for graduates six years after entry, though the canonical figure for median earnings ten years after entry is provided separately. The graduation rate, while below the national average for private colleges, reflects the institution's commitment to serving a broad range of students, including many who are the first in their families to attend college.
North Central College is a tuition-dependent institution that provides financial aid to nearly all of its incoming students. Data indicates that 100% of full-time beginning undergraduates receive some form of grant or scholarship aid. Aid packages are a mix of merit-based and need-based awards. The college offers a number of merit scholarships based on academics, which are applied directly to tuition expenses. Need-based grants are also available and do not require repayment. Importantly, the sources do not indicate that North Central College has a "no-loan" policy or a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans. Students commonly utilize federal loans, with unsubsidized loans available to any degree-seeking student who completes the FAFSA, regardless of demonstrated need. The average after aid—the cost families actually pay—is a key figure for prospective students.
North Central College stands out for its specific, mission-driven niche. It is not a ultra-selective liberal arts college, nor a large research university. Instead, it carves a distinct path as an accessible, teaching-focused institution in a highly desirable location. Its singular character is defined by three intertwined elements:
The Naperville Advantage: Its campus is integrated into one of the country's most affluent and vibrant suburbs, offering students a safe, resource-rich environment with easy access to Chicago's internships and culture, blurring the line between a traditional enclosed campus and a commuter-friendly location.
The First-Gen Focus: Through programs like Cardinal First, the college demonstrates a tangible commitment to the success of students, boasting higher graduation rates for those who complete the program. This creates a supportive culture that recognizes diverse starting points.
The Pragmatic Liberal Arts: Its academic philosophy rejects the classic vs. vocational dichotomy. Here, a psychology major is as much about career preparation as personal enrichment, and faculty are praised for supporting student-led, practical research. It's a liberal arts education with a clear-eyed view of the post-graduation world.
It's a college for the student who wants the mentorship and community of a small school, the career-connected opportunities of a metro area, and an academic experience that feels purposeful and direct.
North Central College seal · sourceCampus Map | North Central College · sourceCampus Map | North Central College · sourceNorth Central College | Naperville, IL · source
