Blackburn College vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Blackburn College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or NKU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Blackburn College ($9,211 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 22% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($9,915 vs. $12,712).
• Blackburn College is 153.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $17,061 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at Blackburn College than at Northern Kentucky University (about $6,237 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 88.3% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($19,456 vs. $10,332).

Blackburn College vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or NKU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NKU and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• NKU has a higher acceptance rate (67.6%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Blackburn College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and NKU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $700 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,050 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($24,950 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($257 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.