IU East vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University East in Richmond, IN 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 IU East based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 3,203 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University East is located in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University East 15:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

IU East vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU East 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 Indiana University East than NKU ($8,718 vs. $9,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University East are 13.7% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,972 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $2,664 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at IU East than at Northern Kentucky University (about $899 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Indiana University East (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University East students ($10,332 vs. $8,096).

IU East vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU East 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 IU East.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University East (1070) is 20 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming IU East 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: Indiana University East 960/1170; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 19/24; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU East - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IU East Aug 18, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IU East (3.41).
• NKU has a higher acceptance rate (67.6%) than IU East (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at IU East vs. 36.8% at NKU.

IU East vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU East 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).

• Northern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $4,450 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($211 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU East students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 40%)

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.