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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern University of Lynchburg Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU Longwood University| Northern Kentucky University | Bridgewater College | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
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 | ||
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| 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 | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 13:1 | ||
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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/