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North Central College

NCC

Naperville, Illinois 60540

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedUrban

Known for business

North Central College is a private institution in Naperville with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1165, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.4K undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

71% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $60,123 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,033.

Established
1861
Motto
Lux Veritas
Mascot
Chippy the Cardinal
Type
Private college
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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58%Acceptance
1165SAT Avg
2,360Students
12:1Student:Faculty
71%Grad Rate
$60,123Earnings 10yr
$23,033Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate58.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1165

Reading & WritingMid: 570
535650
MathMid: 560
530630

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
2327

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$44,394
Room & Board$12,434
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$54,803
Average Net Price$23,033
Median Debt at Graduation$24,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$260

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,752
$30–48K$16,536
$48–75K$18,725
$75–110K$23,967
$110K+$27,279

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

20.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$18,750

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

20

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

5

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

5

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (71)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

82%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
2,360
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
27%
Pell Grant Recipients
25%

Race & Ethnicity

White 62%
Black 6%
Hispanic 17%
Asian 4%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate71.1%
Freshman Retention81.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$51,762
10 Years$60,123

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#20
vs 2024
Forbes
#20
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History North Central College was founded in 1861 as "Plainfield College" in Plainfield, Illinois.
  • Classes were first held on November 11 of that year.
  • On February 15, 1864, the Board of Trustees changed the name of the school to "North-Western College".
  • The college moved to Naperville in 1870 and the name was again changed in 1926 to North Central College.
  • In June 2017, North Central College acquired Shimer College and instituted the Shimer Great Books School of North Central College.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

105Above Average

Estimated from IL state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Chicagopop. 2.7M
27 mi(47 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
88 mi(153 min)
Indianapolispop. 880K
173 mi(300 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ORD Chicago O'Hare18 mi
MKE Milwaukee82 mi
IND Indianapolis172 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA876 mi · ~25h 18m drive
New York, NY737 mi · ~21h 17m drive
Hartford, CT796 mi · ~23h drive
Providence, RI860 mi · ~24h 51m drive
Albany, NY738 mi · ~21h 19m drive
Syracuse, NY618 mi · ~17h 51m drive
Rochester, NY545 mi · ~15h 45m drive
Buffalo, NY479 mi · ~13h 50m drive
Philadelphia, PA689 mi · ~19h 54m drive
Pittsburgh, PA434 mi · ~12h 32m drive
Harrisburg, PA595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Newark, NJ728 mi · ~21h 2m drive
Washington, DC617 mi · ~17h 49m drive
Baltimore, MD629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Atlanta, GA591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
Charlotte, NC600 mi · ~17h 20m drive
Raleigh, NC658 mi · ~19h 1m drive
Miami, FL1196 mi · ~34h 33m drive
Orlando, FL990 mi · ~28h 36m drive
Tampa, FL1008 mi · ~29h 7m drive
Nashville, TN395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
New Orleans, LA824 mi · ~23h 48m drive
Richmond, VA640 mi · ~18h 29m drive
Chicago, IL27 mi · ~47 min drive
Detroit, MI264 mi · ~7h 38m drive
Minneapolis, MN339 mi · ~9h 48m drive
St. Louis, MO243 mi · ~7h 1m drive
Kansas City, MO386 mi · ~11h 9m drive
Indianapolis, IN173 mi · ~5h drive
Columbus, OH297 mi · ~8h 35m drive
Cleveland, OH333 mi · ~9h 37m drive
Milwaukee, WI88 mi · ~2h 33m drive
Dallas, TX782 mi · ~22h 35m drive
Houston, TX923 mi · ~26h 40m drive
Austin, TX958 mi · ~27h 41m drive
San Antonio, TX1031 mi · ~29h 47m drive
Los Angeles, CA1715 mi · ~49h 33m drive
San Francisco, CA1829 mi · ~52h 50m drive
San Diego, CA1704 mi · ~49h 14m drive
Seattle, WA1712 mi · ~49h 27m drive
Portland, OR1732 mi · ~50h 2m drive
Denver, CO891 mi · ~25h 44m drive
Phoenix, AZ1424 mi · ~41h 8m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1231 mi · ~35h 34m drive
Honolulu, HI4223 mi · ~122h drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

North Central College Application Checklist

Decision Notifications