The average acceptance rate at NU over the past 10 years is 74.01%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 64.51%. Compared to the previous year, it became much more competitive to gain admission to NU in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 27.92%, and the 2025 yield is 28.56%. Overall, the yield has increased by 24.11% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of NU applicants decreased by 10.75% (223 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 15.56% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 64.51%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that NU has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 28.56%. This rising yield trend demonstrates that NU is increasingly successful at converting admitted students into enrolled students. An increasing yield rate suggests stronger student preference for NU and indicates that the institution's admitted class quality and perceived value continue to improve.
For the 2025 admission cycle, NU received approximately 1,851 applications, admitted 1,194 students, and enrolled 341 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing NU's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
NU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at NU over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 74.01%, while the most recent rate stands at 64.51%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 64.51%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 74.52% and for women is 75.31%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at NU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 69.39% | 71.67% | 83.58% |
| 2016-17 | 66.94% -2.45% |
67.30% -4.36% |
66.43% -17.15% |
| 2017-18 | 69.27% 2.33% |
70.38% 3.08% |
67.59% 1.16% |
| 2018-19 | 67.54% -1.73% |
69.39% -0.99% |
64.44% -3.14% |
| 2019-20 | 79.07% 11.53% |
80.06% 10.66% |
77.19% 12.74% |
| 2020-21 | 76.80% -2.27% |
77.16% -2.89% |
76.07% -1.12% |
| 2021-22 | 82.99% 6.19% |
82.06% 4.90% |
87.07% 11.00% |
| 2022-23 | 79.68% -3.31% |
78.47% -3.60% |
82.01% -5.06% |
| 2023-24 | 83.90% 4.22% |
83.74% 5.27% |
84.80% 2.78% |
| 2024-25 | 64.51% -19.39% |
64.94% -18.80% |
63.92% -20.87% |
| Average | 74.01% | 74.52% | 75.31% |
NU has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 23.01% in 2015 to 28.56% in 2025, representing a 24.11% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 27.92%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at NU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 24.11% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 23.01% | 24.42% | 20.70% |
| 2016-17 | 37.62% 14.61% |
41.78% 17.36% |
31.72% 11.02% |
| 2017-18 | 22.62% -15.01% |
24.81% -16.97% |
19.18% -12.54% |
| 2018-19 | 26.95% 4.33% |
29.14% 4.33% |
22.99% 3.80% |
| 2019-20 | 34.41% 7.46% |
36.85% 7.71% |
29.55% 6.56% |
| 2020-21 | 32.80% -1.61% |
33.64% -3.21% |
31.09% 1.53% |
| 2021-22 | 31.01% -1.79% |
31.92% -1.72% |
30.03% -1.05% |
| 2022-23 | 22.66% -8.35% |
22.63% -9.29% |
22.72% -7.32% |
| 2023-24 | 19.60% -3.06% |
21.28% -1.35% |
16.61% -6.10% |
| 2024-25 | 28.56% 8.96% |
33.53% 12.25% |
21.78% 5.17% |
| Average | 27.92% | 30.00% | 24.64% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 1,537, the average number of admitted is 1,129, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 302.
The number of NU applicants decreased by 10.75% (223 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 15.56% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Northwood University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 2,192 | 1,521 | 350 |
| 2016-17 | 1,346 -38.59% |
901 -40.76% |
339 -3.14% |
| 2017-18 | 1,819 35.14% |
1,260 39.84% |
285 -15.93% |
| 2018-19 | 1,445 -20.56% |
976 -22.54% |
263 -7.72% |
| 2019-20 | 1,099 -23.94% |
869 -10.96% |
299 13.69% |
| 2020-21 | 1,056 -3.91% |
811 -6.67% |
266 -11.04% |
| 2021-22 | 1,123 6.34% |
932 14.92% |
289 8.65% |
| 2022-23 | 1,368 21.82% |
1,090 16.95% |
247 -14.53% |
| 2023-24 | 2,074 51.61% |
1,740 59.63% |
341 38.06% |
| 2024-25 | 1,851 -10.75% |
1,194 -31.38% |
341 |
| Average | 1,537 | 1,129 | 302 |
The following table compares Northwood University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwood University | 83.90% | 64.51% | -23.11% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | 75.42% | 80.14% | -5.89% |
| Davenport University | 97.84% | 97.05% | 0.81% |
| Baker College | 81.87% | 87.50% | -6.43% |
| Lawrence Technological University | 55.90% | 80.25% | -30.34% |
| Calvin University | 70.91% | 71.31% | -0.56% |
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