NKU vs. BC

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Bridgewater College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or BC 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. Bridgewater College comparison
Northern Kentucky University Bridgewater College College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University Bridgewater College
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Overview

NKU BC
Location Highland Heights, KY Bridgewater, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 1,421
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #676
Religious Affiliation - Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu bridgewater.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU BC
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $38,800
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $38,800
Room & Board $11,248 $13,830
Avg Net Price $7,259 $19,332
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $34,142
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU BC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 3,402
Admitted 5,939 3,074
Acceptance Rate 86% 90.4%
Enrolled % 27.6% 13.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 22/28
SAT Range 1030/1290 1020/1230
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

NKU BC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

NKU BC
Graduation Rate 37% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $43,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU BC
% Men 36% 48%
% Women 64% 52%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 73%
% Black 7% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

NKU BC
% In-State 66% 73%
% Out-of-State 26% 24%

Campus

NKU BC
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 BC based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,421 students)

NKU vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or BC?

  • Bridgewater College is 280.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($38,800.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.6% higher at BC than Northern Kentucky University ($38,800.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than BC ($7,259 vs. $19,332)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 23% lower than costs at Bridgewater College ($11,248 vs. $13,830)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Bridgewater College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 202.8% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($34,142 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. BC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 34 points higher than at BC (1034)
  • Incoming BC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • BC has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at BC is higher than Northern Kentucky University (59% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Bridgewater College earn on average $3,400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($43,100 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than BC graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than BC graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 53%)

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