North Central College vs. NKU

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

Overview

North Central College NKU
Location Naperville, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,695 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #340 #805
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentralcollege.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central College NKU
Tuition (In State) $42,866 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $42,866 $20,464
Room & Board $11,998 $11,248
Avg Net Price $25,285 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $30,776 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

North Central College NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,099 6,905
Admitted 3,104 5,939
Acceptance Rate 60.9% 86%
Enrolled % 15.6% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/28 19/25
SAT Range 1020/1240 1030/1290
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 Apr 15, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

North Central College NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

North Central College NKU
Graduation Rate 64% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $258 $257

Diversity

North Central College NKU
% Men 47% 36%
% Women 53% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 82%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

North Central College NKU
% In-State 85% 66%
% Out-of-State 11% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than North Central College based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,695 students)

North Central College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or NKU?

  • North Central College is 319.9% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($42,866.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 109.5% higher at North Central College than Northern Kentucky University ($42,866.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than North Central College ($7,259 vs. $25,285)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 6.7% lower than costs at North Central College ($11,248 vs. $11,998)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at North Central College as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 173% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($30,776 vs. $11,275)

North Central College vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Central College (1125) is 57 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming North Central College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than North Central College (60.9%)

North Central College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central College 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 North Central College.

  • The graduation rate at North Central College is higher than Northern Kentucky University (64% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from North Central College earn on average $9,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than North Central College graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than North Central College graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)

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