Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
North Central College logo

North Central College

Naperville, IL·Private nonprofit·2,428 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.

77%
Accept
2,428
Students
$21,044
Net Price
64%
Grad Rate
$52,300
Earnings
10 yr
$24,500
Debt

About This School

North Central College is a private nonprofit institution located in Naperville, Illinois with approximately 2,428 undergraduate students enrolled. North Central College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 77%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,044 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $52,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

North Central College is a private college in Naperville, Illinois, United States. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has 73 undergraduate majors of study, 17 minors, 25 graduate programs, and 4 certificate programs offered by four undergraduate colleges/schools and one School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Located in Naperville — one of the Chicago area's most livable suburbs — this small private college offers 73 majors, solid access (58% acceptance rate), and relatively manageable debt at graduation ($18,750 median). The numbers tell a mostly encouraging story: an 82% freshman retention rate suggests students are generally happy once they arrive, and the net price of $23,033/year is reasonable for a private school. The one honest concern is the 71% graduation rate, which means roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish — worth asking about directly during a campus visit.

Founded
1861
Setting
Midsize city
Religious Affiliation
Wesleyan
Avg Faculty Salary
$9,075

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing25%
Psychology12%
Visual & Performing Arts7%
Biological Sciences7%
Social Sciences7%
Education7%
Engineering5%
Communications5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

James Henry BreastedSherrill MilnesDick BlickMildred Rebstock

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1213
Reading 75th %ile650
Math 75th %ile660

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite25

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$45,726
Out-of-State Tuition
$45,726
Avg Net Price
$21,044
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$12,507
$30–48k$13,486
$48–75k$16,362
$75–110k$20,590
$110k+$26,961

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants24%
Median debt at graduation$24,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
64%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
77%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$24,500
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$43,100
Female graduates$35,700

Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$24,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$39,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.1x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White59%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino19%
Asian4%
Two or more races4%
International4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,428 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

North Central College

30 N Brainard St

Naperville, IL 60540

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Illinois

Browse all Illinois schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.