IU Kokomo vs. NKU

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

IU Kokomo NKU
Location Kokomo, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,892 14,961
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #874 #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iuk.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IU Kokomo NKU
Tuition (In State) $7,492 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $21,356 $21,096
Room & Board $10,244 $11,660
Avg Net Price $6,459 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $7,473 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 98%

Admission

IU Kokomo NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,953 6,417
Admitted 1,654 6,162
Acceptance Rate 84.7% 96%
Enrolled % 29.1% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26 19/25
SAT Range 970/1180 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

IU Kokomo NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (39%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (20%)
  • Business (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

IU Kokomo NKU
Graduation Rate 20% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $206 $257

Diversity

IU Kokomo NKU
% Men 3% 10%
% Women 4% 24%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 82%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

IU Kokomo NKU
% In-State 98% 71%
% Out-of-State 1% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than IU Kokomo based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,892 students)

IU Kokomo vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Kokomo or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 40.3% more expensive to attend than IU Kokomo for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,492.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.2% higher at IU Kokomo than Northern Kentucky University ($21,356.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Kokomo than NKU ($6,459 vs. $8,151)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Kokomo are 13.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,244 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Indiana University Kokomo (98% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 53.8% larger than aid received Indiana University Kokomo ($11,492 vs. $7,473)

IU Kokomo vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 121 points higher than at IU Kokomo (947)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at IU Kokomo (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IU Kokomo (3.29)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than IU Kokomo (84.7%)

IU Kokomo vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IU Kokomo 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 IU Kokomo.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Indiana University Kokomo (37% vs. 20%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $1,200 more per year than IU Kokomo graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $38,500)
  • Indiana University Kokomo students graduate with a $4,950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,000 vs. $24,950)
  • IU Kokomo graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($206 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Kokomo students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

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