North Central vs Meredith College
North Central College and Meredith College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. North Central, located in Naperville, Illinois, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Meredith's 65% in Raleigh, North Carolina. While both colleges share a strong liberal arts foundation, North Central excels in business and engineering, while Meredith shines in nursing and education. Their student bodies reflect these differences, with North Central having a larger male population and Meredith a predominantly female student body. Despite these variations, both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with North Central at 79% and Meredith at 75%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these colleges' unique offerings and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Meredith College |
![]() North Central College |
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Overview |
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Location | Raleigh, North Carolina | Naperville, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 82.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 69.9% | 68.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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$25 |
SAT range | 1098 - 1273 | 1030 - 1230 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 15.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 29.0% | 17.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,706 | 4,551 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,192 | 3,113 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 344 | 512 |
Yield rate | 28.9% | 16.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $56,034 | $61,098 |
Average net price | $21,717 | $26,207 |
Tuition | $41,104 | $42,026 |
Room & board | $12,120 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,998
Meal plan:
$3,890
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $29,442 |
100.0%
Average amount $28,670 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
63.0%
Average amount $5,456 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,156 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $16,787 |
25.0%
Average amount $6,992 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,427
Men 0.1% Women 99.9% |
2,404
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
Graduate students |
284
Men 11.3% Women 88.7% |
324
Men 29.3% Women 70.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 9.8% | 26.8% |
International students | 1.5% | 3.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,163 | 1,333 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina Virginia Florida Maryland South Carolina | Illinois Wisconsin Indiana Ohio Michigan |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.5% | 64.4% |
Dropout rate | 7.3% | 35.1% |
Transferred out | 24.0% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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