Illinois College vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, 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 Illinois College based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 Illinois College ($9,211 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 5.4% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,026 vs. $12,712).
• Illinois College is 248.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $27,588 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.5% higher at Illinois College than at Northern Kentucky University (about $16,764 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 205.9% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($31,609 vs. $10,332).

Illinois College vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois 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 Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 20 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming Illinois College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at NKU (3.42).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Illinois College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.