IPFW vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, 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 IPFW based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 7,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

IPFW vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW 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 IPFW ($9,211 vs. $14,735).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 8.2% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,669 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 16.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $1,556 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at IPFW than at Northern Kentucky University (about $975 more per year; $22,887.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 44.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($10,332 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW 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 IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Fort Wayne (1100) is 50 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming IPFW students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 36.8% at NKU.

IPFW vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have a $450 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($24,500 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, IPFW graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($253 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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.