Dominican vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University in River Forest, 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 Dominican based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University 12:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Dominican vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican 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 Dominican ($9,211 vs. $13,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 0% lower than at Dominican University ($12,712 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 251.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $27,890 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.9% higher at Dominican than at Northern Kentucky University (about $17,066 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 197.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($30,756 vs. $10,332).

Dominican vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dominican 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 Dominican.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming Dominican students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NKU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at NKU (3.42).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Dominican vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Dominican vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $50 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($24,950 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($257 vs. $258).
• More Dominican 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.