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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State| Northern Kentucky University | Bethel University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | Bethel | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | McKenzie, TN | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 2,974 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | #992 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Cumberland Presbyterian | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | bethelu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Bethel | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $16,870 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $16,870 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $10,537 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $20,606 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $10,423 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 90% |
Admission |
NKU | Bethel | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | 3,318 | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | 3,224 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 97.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 12.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.6 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 16/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | 625/1100 | ||
| 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 |
Academics |
NKU | Bethel | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | Bethel | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 32% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $42,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 33% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $28,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $292 |
Diversity |
NKU | Bethel | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 3% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 5% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 46% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 40% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 5% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 1% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 5% |
Students |
NKU | Bethel | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 19% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Bethel | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Bethel based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,974 students)
NKU vs. Bethel Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Bethel?
- Bethel University is 60.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($16,870.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 25.1% higher at NKU than Bethel University ($21,096.00 vs. $16,870.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Bethel ($8,151 vs. $20,606)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 10.7% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,537 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Bethel University (98% vs. 90%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 10.3% larger than aid received Bethel University ($11,492 vs. $10,423)
NKU vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Bethel? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethel or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 140 points higher than at Bethel (928)
- Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Bethel (20)
- Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NKU (3.42)
- Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than NKU (96%)
NKU vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Bethel? 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 Bethel and NKU.
- The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Bethel University (37% vs. 32%)
- Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $3,000 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $3,300 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($24,950 vs. $28,250)
- NKU graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($257 vs. $292)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/