KWC vs. NKU

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

KWC NKU
Location Owensboro, KY Highland Heights, KY
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 834 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website kwc.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

KWC NKU
Tuition (In State) $31,900 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $31,900 $21,096
Room & Board $11,526 $11,660
Avg Net Price $20,867 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $22,561 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

KWC NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,009 6,417
Admitted 1,346 6,162
Acceptance Rate 67% 96%
Enrolled % 18.1% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 12/24 19/25
SAT Range 750/1130 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

KWC NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

KWC NKU
Graduation Rate 44% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,907 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $236 $257

Diversity

KWC NKU
% Men 3% 10%
% Women 2% 24%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 82%
% Black 15% 7%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

KWC NKU
% In-State 71% 71%
% Out-of-State 29% 28%

Campus

KWC 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 KWC based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 834 students)

KWC vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC or NKU?

  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is 203.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($31,900.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.2% higher at KWC than Northern Kentucky University ($31,900.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than KWC ($8,151 vs. $20,867)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 1.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,526 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 96.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($22,561 vs. $11,492)

KWC vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 20 points higher than at KWC (1048)
  • Incoming KWC students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at KWC (3.3)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than KWC (67%)

KWC vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, KWC 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 KWC.

  • The graduation rate at KWC is higher than Northern Kentucky University (44% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $1,200 more per year than KWC graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $38,500)
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College students graduate with a $2,043 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,907 vs. $24,950)
  • KWC graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($236 vs. $257)
  • More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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