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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 | Bluffton University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
NKU | Bluffton University | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Bluffton, OH | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 678 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Mennonite Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | bluffton.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Bluffton University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $35,498 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $35,498 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $11,866 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $21,299 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $29,291 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
NKU | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | 2,873 | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | 1,757 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 61.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 10.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.26 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | 920/1130 | ||
| 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 | Bluffton University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 10:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | Bluffton University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 59% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $40,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 67% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $279 |
Diversity |
NKU | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 7% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 85% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
NKU | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 79% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 19% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Bluffton University | ||
| 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 Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 678 students)
NKU vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Bluffton University?
- Bluffton University is 237.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 68.3% higher at Bluffton University than Northern Kentucky University ($35,498.00 vs. $21,096.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Bluffton University ($8,151 vs. $21,299)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 1.8% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($11,660 vs. $11,866)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 154.9% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($29,291 vs. $11,492)
NKU vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Bluffton University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bluffton University or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 96 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
- Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Bluffton University (21)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)
NKU vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Bluffton University? 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 Bluffton University and NKU.
- The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (59% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
- More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/