NKU vs. AAC

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Art Academy of Cincinnati? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or AAC 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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Northern Kentucky University vs. Art Academy of Cincinnati comparison
Northern Kentucky University Art Academy of Cincinnati College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University Art Academy of Cincinnati
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Overview

NKU AAC
Location Highland Heights, KY Cincinnati, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 14,961 259
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu artacademy.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU AAC
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $37,500
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $37,500
Room & Board $11,660 $10,325
Avg Net Price $8,151 $28,899
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $19,277
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU AAC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 1,056
Admitted 6,162 350
Acceptance Rate 96% 33.1%
Enrolled % 21% 16.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 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 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

NKU AAC
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

NKU AAC
Graduation Rate 37% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $30,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU AAC
% Men 10% 0%
% Women 24% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 79%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU AAC
% In-State 71% 58%
% Out-of-State 28% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than AAC based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 259 students)

NKU vs. AAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or AAC?

  • Art Academy of Cincinnati is 256.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($37,500.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.8% higher at AAC than Northern Kentucky University ($37,500.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than AAC ($8,151 vs. $28,899)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Academy of Cincinnati are 12.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,325 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Art Academy of Cincinnati than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Art Academy of Cincinnati students is 67.7% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($19,277 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. AAC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 105 points higher than at AAC (963)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at AAC (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at AAC (3.1)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than AAC (33.1%)

NKU vs. AAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or AAC? 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 AAC and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at AAC is higher than Northern Kentucky University (44% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $9,300 more per year than AAC graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $30,400)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than AAC graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than AAC graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More AAC 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/