Admit rate has ranged 44%–73% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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 Park University is a small, Christian liberal arts college in Chicago that punches above its weight with its urban setting, intercultural focus, and surprisingly diverse student body (50% students of color). While its 68.5% acceptance rate suggests accessibility, its 11:1 student-faculty ratio and strong pre-professional programs—especially in business and healthcare—deliver an intimate, career-focused education at a sticker price softened by generous aid (74% of first-years receive need-based scholarships averaging $27,597).
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Considered (not required)
High school transcript
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
1,818
In-state tuition
$36,710
Out-of-state tuition
$36,710
Housing
38% on-campus
Location
Chicago, IL
Top Major
Business Administration
Student Body
50% students of color
Acceptance Rate
68.5% (2024)
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
58%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,572
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.5×
Median debt at graduation
$25,500
Graduation rate
58%
First-year retention
62%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
64%
Pell (lower-income) share
57%
First-generation share
37%
Endowment / student
$59,587
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$63,826
Business Administration, Management and Operations$45,584
Criminal Justice and Corrections$39,153
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$37,424
English Language and Literature, General$35,060
Psychology, General
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
86
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
22°F
Annual rain
45.5"
Annual snow
32.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Very 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
66
Scholarly works
859
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
1.7%
Bottom → top quintile
23%
From bottom quintile
7%
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 Park University?
North Park University's acceptance rate is approximately 69% (Chicago, IL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does North Park University cost?
At North Park University, the average net price (after aid) is about $16,948 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend North Park University?
North Park University enrolls approximately 1,818 undergraduate students.
Where is North Park University located?
North Park University is located in Chicago, IL.
Admissions
North Park’s admissions process is moderately selective, with a 68.5% acceptance rate (2,952 admits from 4,309 applications in 2024). The school is test-blind and accepts the Common Application, with rolling deadlines. While the average admitted student has an unweighted GPA of 3.75+, those with a 3.5 GPA may qualify with an ACT score of 27+ or SAT of 1290+. Notably, 47.6% of applicants enrolled after admission in 2020, suggesting strong YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. for a regional institution.
Key stats: 68.5% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (2024), 47.6% yield (2020), test-blind policy
Profile: Competitive but accessible for students with strong GPAs; no SAT/ACT requirement
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.
$32,094
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$30,228
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$29,685
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.
North Park offers 40+ majors with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, emphasizing hands-on learning and pre-professional tracks. Business administration is the most popular major (7% of degrees), followed by education, social sciences, and visual/performing arts (3% each). The curriculum blends liberal arts with career-ready programs like actuarial science, arts management, and biblical studies certificates. Unique offerings include art therapy and a strong emphasis on intercultural learning, reflecting the school’s Christian mission and urban Chicago location.
Top programs: Business, education, pre-law/pre-med tracks
Standout features: Small classes, certificate programs, faith-integrated coursework
Life at North Park is tight-knit but cosmopolitan: 38% of students live on campus, while 62% commute from Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. The school leans into its Christian identity (weekly chapel) and urban setting, with the Collaboratory diversity center serving as a hub for intercultural programming. Half the student body identifies as persons of color, creating a vibrant mix reflected in campus events. Athletics (NCAA Division III) and arts thrive, with TikTok videos showcasing spirited dorm life and city exploration.
Demographics: 50% students of color, 38% on-campus housing
Vibe: Faith-based but progressive, with strong community and city access
North Park’s 6-year graduation rate is 58% (slightly below national averages), with Pell Grant recipients graduating at 53%. Alumni median earnings 10 years out are $59,572, outperforming many regional peers. Retention rates are middling (62% return after freshman year), but the school’s career-focused programs—especially in business and healthcare—help graduates land jobs in Chicago’s robust market.
Graduation: 58% in 6 years, 53% for Pell recipients
Sticker price is $52,360 (tuition: $37,725), but 74% of first-years receive need-based aid averaging $27,597, bringing the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $19,910 for many. The school offers a net price calculator and emphasizes aid packages combining grants, scholarships, and work-study. While costs are high for a regional institution, the urban location and career connections justify the investment for many students.
North Park is uniquely positioned at the intersection of faith, city life, and diversity. Its Christian identity doesn’t preclude a progressive ethos—50% students of color, a bustling diversity center—and its Chicago location provides internships and cultural capital rare for small liberal arts colleges. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio ensures mentorship, while programs like art therapy and actuarial science bridge liberal arts with employability. It’s a school for students who want a close-knit community without sacrificing urban energy.
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