DePauw vs. NKU

Should I go to DePauw University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DePauw 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Butler Denison Kentucky University of Toledo Purdue IU Eastern Oberlin Murray State University Wabash College IWU WKU
DePauw University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
DePauw University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
DePauw University Northern Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

DePauw NKU
Location Greencastle, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,752 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #99 #805
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website depauw.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DePauw NKU
Tuition (In State) $54,400 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $54,400 $20,464
Room & Board $14,400 $11,248
Avg Net Price $29,486 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $41,067 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

DePauw NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,708 6,905
Admitted 3,756 5,939
Acceptance Rate 65.8% 86%
Enrolled % 14.2% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/31 19/25
SAT Range 1140/1360 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

DePauw NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

DePauw NKU
Graduation Rate 85% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,000 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,588 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $264 $257

Diversity

DePauw NKU
% Men 49% 36%
% Women 51% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 82%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 8% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

DePauw NKU
% In-State 36% 66%
% Out-of-State 38% 26%

Campus

DePauw 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 DePauw based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,752 students)

DePauw vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePauw or NKU?

  • DePauw University is 432.9% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($54,400.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 165.8% higher at DePauw than Northern Kentucky University ($54,400.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than DePauw ($7,259 vs. $29,486)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 28% lower than costs at DePauw University ($11,248 vs. $14,400)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at DePauw University as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DePauw University students is 264.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($41,067 vs. $11,275)

DePauw vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at DePauw University (1208) is 140 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming DePauw students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman DePauw students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than DePauw (65.8%)

DePauw vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DePauw 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 DePauw.

  • The graduation rate at DePauw is higher than Northern Kentucky University (85% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from DePauw University earn on average $21,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($61,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $638 lower median federal student loan debt than DePauw graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,588)
  • NKU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than DePauw graduates. ($257 vs. $264)
  • More DePauw graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 53%)

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