National Louis University vs. NKU

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

National Louis University NKU
Location Chicago, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 8,270 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nl.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

National Louis University NKU
Tuition (In State) $11,520 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $11,520 $21,096
Room & Board $13,950 $11,660
Avg Net Price $15,724 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $9,722 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 98%

Admission

National Louis University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,145 6,417
Admitted 3,860 6,162
Acceptance Rate 93.1% 96%
Enrolled % 20.3% 21%
Avg High School GPA 2.8 3.42
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

National Louis University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (32%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Human Services (4%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

National Louis University NKU
Graduation Rate 26% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,837 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $205 $257

Diversity

National Louis University NKU
% Men 9% 10%
% Women 40% 24%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 25% 82%
% Black 35% 7%
% Hispanic 31% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

National Louis University NKU
% In-State 73% 71%
% Out-of-State 19% 28%

Campus

National Louis University 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 Louis University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 8,270 students)

National Louis University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National Louis University or NKU?

  • National Louis University is 9.6% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($11,520.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.1% higher at NKU than National Louis University ($21,096.00 vs. $11,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than National Louis University ($8,151 vs. $15,724)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 19.6% lower than costs at National Louis University ($11,660 vs. $13,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than National Louis University (98% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 18.2% larger than aid received National Louis University ($11,492 vs. $9,722)

National Louis University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at National Louis University (2.8)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than National Louis University (93.1%)

National Louis University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, National Louis University 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 Louis University.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than National Louis University (37% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from National Louis University earn on average $9,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $39,700)
  • National Louis University students graduate with a $5,113 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($19,837 vs. $24,950)
  • National Louis University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($205 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

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