Benedictine University vs. NKU

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

Benedictine University NKU
Location Lisle, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,123 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #560 #805
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ben.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Benedictine University NKU
Tuition (In State) $32,700 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $32,700 $20,464
Room & Board $10,266 $11,248
Avg Net Price $25,658 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $20,083 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Benedictine University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,746 6,905
Admitted 2,557 5,939
Acceptance Rate 93.1% 86%
Enrolled % 16.6% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/28 19/25
SAT Range 1050/1280 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

Benedictine University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (45%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Benedictine University NKU
Graduation Rate 49% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,300 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $230 $257

Diversity

Benedictine University NKU
% Men 44% 36%
% Women 56% 64%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 82%
% Black 9% 7%
% Hispanic 12% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 16% 1%

Students

Benedictine University NKU
% In-State 69% 66%
% Out-of-State 30% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Benedictine University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,123 students)

Benedictine University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedictine University or NKU?

  • Benedictine University is 220.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($32,700.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.8% higher at Benedictine University than Northern Kentucky University ($32,700.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Benedictine University ($7,259 vs. $25,658)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedictine University are 9.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,266 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Benedictine University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Benedictine University students is 78.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($20,083 vs. $11,275)

Benedictine University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Benedictine University (3.26)
  • Benedictine University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than NKU (86%)

Benedictine University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Benedictine 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 Benedictine University.

  • The graduation rate at Benedictine University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (49% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Benedictine University earn on average $13,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($52,800 vs. $39,700)
  • Benedictine University students graduate with a $2,650 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,300 vs. $24,950)
  • Benedictine University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($230 vs. $257)
  • More Benedictine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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