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Kentucky Taylor University University of Toledo Eastern IU Olivet Nazarene University Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville| Indiana Wesleyan University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
IWU | NKU | ||
| Location | Marion, IN | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,207 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #236 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Wesleyan | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | indwes.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
IWU | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $31,168 | $10,512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $31,168 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,554 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,364 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $19,595 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 98% |
Admission |
IWU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,035 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 2,495 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 82.2% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 20% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.61 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/28 | 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 |
IWU | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
IWU | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 70% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,300 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 55% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,104 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $249 | $257 |
Diversity |
IWU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 2% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 4% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 73% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 0% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
IWU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 60% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 39% | 28% | ||
Campus |
IWU | NKU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,207 students)
IWU vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, IWU or NKU?
- Indiana Wesleyan University is 196.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($31,168.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 47.7% higher at IWU than Northern Kentucky University ($31,168.00 vs. $21,096.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than IWU ($8,151 vs. $23,364)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University are 10.5% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,554 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University students is 70.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($19,595 vs. $11,492)
IWU vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, IWU or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or IWU .
- The average SAT score at Indiana Wesleyan University (1086) is 18 points higher than at NKU (1068)
- Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
- Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at NKU (3.42)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than IWU (82.2%)
IWU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, IWU 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 IWU.
- The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (70% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University earn on average $14,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $39,700)
- Indiana Wesleyan University students graduate with a $846 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,104 vs. $24,950)
- IWU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($249 vs. $257)
- More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/