Above / Banners fly high as North Central College welcomes another school year with record enrollment as well as being named among U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges.” (PN File Photo)
North Central College Report
Update, Sept. 23, 2025 / North Central College Ranks among Top 20 Midwest Institutions in Latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” Rankings
For more than 30 consecutive years, North Central College has been named among America’s Best Colleges in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings. This year, North Central ranked No. 20 out of 159 institutions in the Best Regional Universities Midwest category. The College improved its ranking in two significant affordability categories, coming in at No. 27 on the list of Best Value Schools, a one place improvement over last year, and leaping 13 places to No. 35 in the Top Performers on Social Mobility category. North Central was also recognized for its strong undergraduate programs in engineering and psychology, and the College continues to be lauded for its support for student veterans, ranking No. 9 in the Best Colleges for Veterans category.
For more than four decades, U.S. News & World Report has produced its Best Colleges rankings as a guide for students and their families who are embarking on a college search. The 2026 rankings evaluated more than 1,700 U.S. college and universities, using up to 17 different factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.
“These recognitions from U.S. News & World Report paint an exciting picture of the positive momentum we are experiencing right now at North Central College,” said President Abiodun Goke-Pariola. “This fall, we welcomed our largest-ever incoming class and set a new record for total student enrollment. The latest rankings further affirm that North Central College offers a transformational, high-quality education that is affordable, accessible and centered around the student experience.”
Originally Posted Sept. 18, 2025 / At a time when many colleges across the nation are grappling with declining enrollments, North Central College welcomed its largest-ever incoming class this fall. The influx of new students has pushed total enrollment to an all-time high in the College’s 164-year history.
A record 921 new undergraduate students enrolled for the College’s fall 2025 semester, including 657 first-year students (a 36% increase over last year) and 264 transfer students. Combined with graduate student enrollment, the incoming class contributed to a record total of 3,179 students (2,632 undergraduate and 547 graduate) for the start of the 2025-26 academic year, surpassing the previous record total of 3,003 set last year.
“Record enrollment reflects that North Central College is attracting students who seek a transformational, high-quality and hands-on education that leads to tangible, real-world outcomes,” said President Abiodun Goke-Pariola. “From academics and athletics to community and corporate partnerships, we are experiencing momentum across all corners of our campus. We are excited to experience everything our Cardinals will contribute and accomplish during their time within our close-knit, supportive college community.”
North Central’s previous undergraduate enrollment record was set in 2017 with 893 new students, but enrollment temporarily dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The College has since set new total enrollment records for two consecutive years.
“Our current enrollment trend affirms that students and families see tremendous value in a North Central College education,” said Aggie Hanni, vice president for enrollment management and marketing. “From innovative academic programs to personalized support and a vibrant campus community, we offer an experience that prepares students not just for careers, but for meaningful lives. And with Naperville consistently ranked among the best places to live in the nation, our students truly get the best of both worlds. We are committed to continuing to deliver the highest level of opportunity, value, and support to every student who chooses North Central.”
The incoming class comprises students from 31 U.S. states and 36 countries. The majority of new first-year undergraduate students (45%) are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, 22% are enrolled in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, 20% in the School of Education and Health Sciences, and 13% are undecided. The most popular departments for declared majors among new first-year undergraduate students included health science, biology, economics, engineering, and management and marketing.
Nearly half of new transfer undergraduate students (49%) are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, 24% are enrolled in the School of Education and Health Sciences, and 22% in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship. The most popular departments for declared majors among new transfer undergraduate students included management and marketing, health science, psychology, kinesiology, and biology.
North Central College offers more than 90 undergraduate majors across its three distinct academic units, as well as 25 graduate degree and graduate certificate programs.
Interested in learning more about North Central College? Visit northcentralcollege.edu/why-ncc. Students interested in applying to North Central College can go to northcentralcollege.edu/admissions/apply or set up a campus visit by going to northcentralcollege.edu/admissions/visit.
