Anderson University vs. NKU

Should I go to Anderson University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Anderson University or NKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Anderson University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Anderson University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Anderson University Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

Anderson University NKU
Location Anderson, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,290 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #495 #805
Religious Affiliation Church of God - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website anderson.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Anderson University NKU
Tuition (In State) $33,070 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $33,070 $20,464
Room & Board $11,420 $11,248
Avg Net Price $21,459 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $26,629 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Anderson University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,416 6,905
Admitted 2,803 5,939
Acceptance Rate 51.8% 86%
Enrolled % 11.6% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/25 19/25
SAT Range 980/1220 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Anderson University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Anderson University NKU
Graduation Rate 63% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $279 $257

Diversity

Anderson University NKU
% Men 49% 36%
% Women 51% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 82%
% Black 6% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Anderson University NKU
% In-State 67% 66%
% Out-of-State 33% 26%

Campus

Anderson University NKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Anderson University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,290 students)

Anderson University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Anderson University or NKU?

  • Anderson University is 224% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($33,070.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 61.6% higher at Anderson University than Northern Kentucky University ($33,070.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Anderson University ($7,259 vs. $21,459)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 1.5% lower than costs at Anderson University ($11,248 vs. $11,420)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 136.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($26,629 vs. $11,275)

Anderson University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Anderson University or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Anderson University .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 18 points higher than at Anderson University (1050)
  • Incoming Anderson University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Anderson University (3.4)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Anderson University (51.8%)

Anderson University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Anderson University or NKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NKU and Anderson University.

  • The graduation rate at Anderson University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (63% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Anderson University earn on average $700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Anderson University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Anderson University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Anderson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/