Northwest Nazarene University Acceptance Rate
Nampa, Idaho · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 3,571
- Admitted
- 2,248
- Yield
- 10.9%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Northwest Nazarene University's acceptance rate has fallen from 65.1% in 2014–15 to 63% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 1,603 to 3,571 (+123%) over that period.
Its 63% rate makes Northwest Nazarene University more selective than about 72% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 6 tracked Idaho schools, it is more selective than about 67%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (67.3% for women vs 57.1% for men, a 10.2-point gap). Northwest Nazarene University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 10.9% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 1,603 | 1,043 | 65.1% | 291 |
| 2015–16 | 1,589 | 894 | 56.3% | 267 |
| 2016–17 | 954 | 909 | 95.3% | 248 |
| 2017–18 | 967 | 710 | 73.4% | 281 |
| 2018–19 | 1,046 | 742 | 70.9% | 278 |
| 2019–20 | 1,666 | 1,425 | 85.5% | 278 |
| 2020–21 | 2,793 | 2,146 | 76.8% | 279 |
| 2021–22 | 2,843 | 2,506 | 88.1% | 275 |
| 2022–23 | 3,394 | 2,993 | 88.2% | 239 |
| 2023–24 | 3,571 | 2,248 | 63% | 246 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 2,057 | 1,384 | 67.3% |
| Men | 1,514 | 864 | 57.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 470–620 | 55% |
| SAT Math | 470–590 | |
| ACT Composite | 25–31 | 42% |
How Northwest Nazarene University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Northwest Nazarene University's acceptance rate?
Northwest Nazarene University's acceptance rate is 63% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (2,248 admitted of 3,571 applicants).
Is Northwest Nazarene University test optional?
Northwest Nazarene University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Northwest Nazarene University?
Northwest Nazarene University received 3,571 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 2,248.
What SAT score do you need for Northwest Nazarene University?
Admitted students at Northwest Nazarene University typically scored 470–620 on SAT Reading/Writing and 470–590 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Northwest Nazarene University getting harder to get into?
Northwest Nazarene University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 65.1% in 2014–15 to 63% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.nnu.edu/.