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Western Illinois University ISU Kentucky Northern Illinois SIUE University of Toledo Southern Illinois University Eastern Northeastern Illinois University Indiana State Murray State University WKU| Eastern Illinois University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
EIU | NKU | ||
| Location | Charleston, IL | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 8,804 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #714 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | eiu.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
EIU | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,903 | $10,512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,379 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,298 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,621 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,122 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 98% |
Admission |
EIU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 11,648 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 7,892 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.8% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 10.4% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.39 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | |||
| SAT Range | 890/1110 | 916/1133 | ||
| 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, 2026 |
Academics |
EIU | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
EIU | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 59% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $43,500 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 59% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,650 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $244 | $257 |
Diversity |
EIU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 12% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 68% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
EIU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 90% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 7% | 28% | ||
Campus |
EIU | 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 8,804 students)
EIU vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, EIU or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 6.1% more expensive to attend than EIU for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $9,903.00)
- Out of state tuition is 70.4% higher at NKU than Eastern Illinois University ($21,096.00 vs. $12,379.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than EIU ($8,151 vs. $14,621)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 3.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,298 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Eastern Illinois University (98% vs. 97%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 3.3% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($11,492 vs. $11,122)
EIU vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, EIU or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or EIU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 58 points higher than at EIU (1010)
- Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at EIU (22)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at EIU (3.39)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than EIU (67.8%)
EIU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, EIU 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 EIU.
- The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (59% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $3,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $39,700)
- Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,300 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,650 vs. $24,950)
- EIU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($244 vs. $257)
- More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/