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Flexible, Faith-Based Christian Education at NPU

North Park University appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Best Chicago Area Colleges Ranked by Affordability.

Ranked the Midwest’s 65th best choice by the U.S. News & World Report, North Park University is a small, service-oriented CCCU member in Chicago that grants 51 bachelor’s, 24 master’s, and two doctoral degrees, including 11 entirely online, at a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. For example, the School of Business & Nonprofit Management headed by Dr. Ann Ownby Hicks has Illinois’ first 120-credit BA in Digital Marketing online for undergrads to take seven-week classes like Cybertechnology, earn SEO certifications, and engage in The Axelson Center. Chaired by Dr. Yoojin Choi, the BS in Biology develops a 120-credit, four-year sequence with opportunities to earn Mayo Clinic internships, follow the Pre-Dentistry Track, take the Costa Rica trip, pledge Beta Beta Beta, and conduct Johnson Center research.

On Canvas, the Center for Online Education delivers a 36-credit, 21-month Master of Higher Education Administration led by Dr. Wesley Lindahl that pairs asynchronous 5000-level courses like Nonprofit Financial Management with a hands-on capstone for success at UChicago, Roosevelt, Northeastern Illinois, and more. Directed by Dr. Linda Duncan, the Doctor of Nursing Practice starts a 39-credit, CCNE-accredited online curriculum each Fall where RNs fill seven part-time semesters with 560 clinical hours at practicum sites, such as Kindred Chicago Central Hospital or Mason District Hospital. Other North Park degrees include the BA in Location Intelligence, BS in Business, BS in Mechanical Engineering, BA in Music, Master of Human Resources Management, and MA in Counseling Psychology.

About North Park University

North Park University originated in 1891 when Erik August Skogsbergh started the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant College & Seminary at the First Covenant Church of Minneapolis. On June 16, 1894, President David Nyvall opened Old Main at its new Chicago campus. That Fall, it became North Park College and founded the Philharmonic Literary Society. In 1902, Caroline Sahlstrom became North Park’s first female professor. In 1956, North Park notably started the Swedish Covenant’s first Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. In 1961, North Park was accredited by the American Association of Theological Schools. Nine years later, a Master of Divinity replaced the four-year Bachelor of Divinity. In 1978, the SVF Exchange was inaugurated for studying abroad in Jonkoping, Sweden. In 1988, the School of Adult Learning was launched for distance education. In 1997, the North Park University name was adopted.

Endowed for $74.9 million, North Park University now employs 125 full-time faculty teaching 3,040 Vikings from 41 states and 28 countries online or at the 30-acre North Side campus near Albany Park with 40+ clubs like Rising Dreamers United for 78 percent retention. In 2016, North Park accepted the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award. In 2014, its Nancy & Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life won two CASE Educational Fundraising Awards. NPU earned a 2016-17 Top Producer of Fulbright Students Award too. Money magazine named North Park University the 579th best value. On Niche, NPU boasts America’s 137th best Christian education, 244th most diversity, and 294th hardest academics. WalletHub honored North Park for the 125th best faculty resources. College Factual positioned NPU 178th for international studies, 225th for theology, and 214th for music degrees.

North Park University Accreditation Details

On April 18, 2011, the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council voted to reaffirm the Level V accreditation at North Park University on the PEAQ Pathway through the 2020-21 site visit under the 10th president, Dr. Mary Karsten Surridge. Located 12 miles southeast via Interstate 94 in Chicago, this giant 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The Academic Affairs Office also lists the following approvals:

  • International Accreditation Council for Business Education
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Association of Theological Schools Commission on Accrediting
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

North Park University Application Requirements

Admission to North Park University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 2,073 of the 3,961 Fall 2018 applicants were victorious for 52 percent acceptance. First-year Vikings need to finish high school with a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.75 or better. General Educational Development diplomas are permitted with a minimum 500 score. Freshmen must exceed the 19 ACT or 990 SAT composite mark. The Class of 2022 presented an average 3.14 GPA, 1110 SAT score, and 22 ACT score. Transfers need at least 2.5 GPAs during 12+ regionally accredited college credits. Provisional admission might be available for 2.0-2.49 GPAs in extenuating circumstances. International learners prove English proficiency with a minimum 68 TOEFL iBT or 6.0 IELTS mark. The School of Graduate & Professional Studies seeks four-year bachelor’s completion with overall GPAs above 3.0. Doctor of Ministry cohorts must hold an MDiv or 48 equivalent master’s credits plus three years of experience. School of Nursing entrants must have culminated a BSN or higher with health care licensure.

North Park University accepts freshman candidates from September 1st to April 1st. Domestic transfers can file until July 1st for Fall or December 15th for Spring starts. International undergrads must apply before June 1st or October 1st. The School of Graduate & Professional Studies has varying deadlines. For instance, the DMin in Preaching closes on January 31st. Incoming MS in Athletic Training students are considered until June 1st. The Online DNP seeks licensed nurses until August 1st. Check program-specific dates for completing the free NPU or Common Application online. Forward official transcripts to 3225 West Foster Avenue in Chicago, IL 60625. Submit test scores using SAT/GRE code 1556 or ACT code 1098. Attach supplemental materials, such as the pastor reference, teacher evaluation, 500-word personal essay, and resume. Contact (773) 244-6200 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, North Park University is charging full-time undergrads $15,180 by semester or $30,360 annually. Traditional part-time study incurs $920 per credit. Summer School is discounted to $590 per credit. Bachelor’s majors cover the $250 technology fee and $150 CTA U-Pass fee. Living at the Chicago campus’ dorms like Sawyer Court adds $9,720 for room and board. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $40,480 on-site and $20,760 if commuting. Online baccalaureate programs cost $550 per credit. The School of Graduate & Professional Studies has priced online courses at $2,410 apiece. Online master’s cohorts typically spend $44,000-$46,000 total. The Online DNP bills $785 per credit or $30,615 overall.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office on the Student Services Building’s 1st Floor helps 94 percent of full-time NPU Vikings earn tuition assistance averaging $13,115 each for $25.11 million combined. Institutional funds include the David Nyvall Scholarship, Lund Scholarship, Mosaic Leadership Scholarship, Serve Globally Scholarship, Axelson Scholarship, Armed Forces Scholarship, Jimmie Alford Scholarship, Mark Farano Memorial Scholarship, Married Couples Scholarship, Virginia Hahn Memorial Scholarship, Swedish Covenant Hospital Employee Discount, and Lifetime Learning Scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship gifts $15,000 annually to outstanding freshmen with a minimum 26 ACT or 1230 SAT score. The $13,000 Transfer Platinum Scholarship assists undergrads with 30+ previous credits and GPAs above 3.5. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Teach Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001735. Illinoisans could also pursue the Horatio Alger Scholarship, National Guard Grant, Monetary Award, Nursing Education Scholarship, and more.

Search through seven Christ-centered colleges housing 75+ nonprofit degrees placed 188th overall by Washington Monthly at the North Park University website.