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| Northern Kentucky University | Averett University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | AU | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Danville, VA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 1,378 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | #629 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | averett.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | AU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $38,400 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $38,400 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $13,016 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $24,091 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $27,274 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
NKU | AU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | 3,322 | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | 1,588 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 47.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 17.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.07 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 16/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | 960/1191 | ||
| 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, 2025 |
Academics |
NKU | AU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 13:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
NKU | AU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 41% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $48,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 51% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $258 |
Diversity |
NKU | AU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 3% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 11% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 58% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 33% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 0% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
NKU | AU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 53% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 38% | ||
Campus |
NKU | AU | ||
| 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 AU based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,378 students)
NKU vs. AU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or AU?
- Averett University is 265.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($38,400.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 82% higher at AU than Northern Kentucky University ($38,400.00 vs. $21,096.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than AU ($8,151 vs. $24,091)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 11.6% lower than costs at Averett University ($11,660 vs. $13,016)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Averett University than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 137.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($27,274 vs. $11,492)
NKU vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or AU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between AU or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 155 points higher than at AU (913)
- Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at AU (20)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at AU (3.07)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than AU (47.8%)
NKU vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or AU? 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 AU and NKU.
- The graduation rate at AU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (41% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Averett University earn on average $8,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($48,400 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/