Elmhurst College vs. NKU

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

Elmhurst College NKU
Location Elmhurst, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,731 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #380 #805
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elmhurst.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elmhurst College NKU
Tuition (In State) $39,862 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $39,862 $20,464
Room & Board $11,250 $11,248
Avg Net Price $24,108 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $27,835 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Elmhurst College NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,731 6,905
Admitted 4,356 5,939
Acceptance Rate 76% 86%
Enrolled % 14.2% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 980/1240 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

Elmhurst College NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Elmhurst College NKU
Graduation Rate 70% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,200 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $222 $257

Diversity

Elmhurst College NKU
% Men 38% 36%
% Women 62% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 82%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 17% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Elmhurst College NKU
% In-State 78% 66%
% Out-of-State 13% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Elmhurst College based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,731 students)

Elmhurst College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst College or NKU?

  • Elmhurst College is 290.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($39,862.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.8% higher at Elmhurst College than Northern Kentucky University ($39,862.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Elmhurst College ($7,259 vs. $24,108)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 0% lower than costs at Elmhurst College ($11,248 vs. $11,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Elmhurst College (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst College students is 146.9% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($27,835 vs. $11,275)

Elmhurst College vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Elmhurst College (1090) is 22 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Elmhurst College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Elmhurst College (76%)

Elmhurst College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elmhurst College 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 Elmhurst College.

  • The graduation rate at Elmhurst College is higher than Northern Kentucky University (70% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Elmhurst College earn on average $10,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($50,200 vs. $39,700)
  • Elmhurst College students graduate with a $3,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Elmhurst College graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($222 vs. $257)
  • More Elmhurst College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 53%)

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