National College-Lexington vs. NKU

Should I go to National College Lexington or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if National College-Lexington 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State
National College Lexington vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
National College Lexington Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

National College-Lexington NKU
Location Lexington, KY Highland Heights, KY
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 329 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit Non-profit
Website national-college.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

National College-Lexington NKU
Tuition (In State) $11,484 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $11,484 $21,096
Room & Board $6,448 $11,660
Avg Net Price $14,100 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $6,904 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 98%

Admission

National College-Lexington NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 6,417
Admitted - 6,162
Acceptance Rate Open 96%
Enrolled % Open 21%
Avg High School GPA - 3.42
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

National College-Lexington NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 25:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (68%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Engineering Technology (2%)
  • Communications Technology (2%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

National College-Lexington NKU
Graduation Rate 50% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $21,900 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 14% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,101 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $300 $257

Diversity

National College-Lexington NKU
% Men 13% 10%
% Women 14% 24%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 50% 82%
% Black 36% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

National College-Lexington NKU
% In-State 40% 71%
% Out-of-State 60% 28%

Campus

National College-Lexington NKU
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than National College-Lexington based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 329 students)

National College-Lexington vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National College-Lexington or NKU?

  • National College Lexington is 9.2% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($11,484.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.7% higher at NKU than National College Lexington ($21,096.00 vs. $11,484.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than National College-Lexington ($8,151 vs. $14,100)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National College Lexington are 80.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($6,448 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than National College Lexington (98% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 66.5% larger than aid received National College Lexington ($11,492 vs. $6,904)

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

National College-Lexington vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, National College-Lexington 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 National College-Lexington.

  • The graduation rate at National College-Lexington is higher than Northern Kentucky University (50% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $17,800 more per year than National College-Lexington graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $21,900)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $4,151 lower median federal student loan debt than National College-Lexington graduates. ($24,950 vs. $29,101)
  • NKU graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than National College-Lexington graduates. ($257 vs. $300)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National College-Lexington students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 14%)

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