Bellarmine University vs. NKU

Should I go to Bellarmine University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bellarmine 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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Bellarmine University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Bellarmine University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Bellarmine University Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

Bellarmine University NKU
Location Louisville, KY Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,970 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #375 #805
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bellarmine.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bellarmine University NKU
Tuition (In State) $44,040 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $44,040 $20,464
Room & Board $9,714 $11,248
Avg Net Price $22,813 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $36,264 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Bellarmine University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,878 6,905
Admitted 3,404 5,939
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 86%
Enrolled % 16% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/25
SAT Range 1100/1290 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 Feb 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Bellarmine University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Bellarmine University NKU
Graduation Rate 66% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,300 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $258 $257

Diversity

Bellarmine University NKU
% Men 37% 36%
% Women 63% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 82%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Bellarmine University NKU
% In-State 67% 66%
% Out-of-State 31% 26%

Campus

Bellarmine 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 Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,970 students)

Bellarmine University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University or NKU?

  • Bellarmine University is 331.4% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($44,040.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 115.2% higher at Bellarmine University than Northern Kentucky University ($44,040.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Bellarmine University ($7,259 vs. $22,813)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 15.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,714 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Bellarmine University as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 221.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($36,264 vs. $11,275)

Bellarmine University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bellarmine University (1120) is 52 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Bellarmine University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at NKU (3.42)
  • Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than NKU (86%)

Bellarmine University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bellarmine 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 Bellarmine University.

  • The graduation rate at Bellarmine University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (66% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Bellarmine University earn on average $10,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($50,300 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Bellarmine University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Bellarmine University graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 53%)

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