NKU vs. Carroll University

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

NKU Carroll University
Location Highland Heights, KY Waukesha, WI
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,801 3,283
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #534
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu carrollu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Carroll University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $35,360
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $35,360
Room & Board $11,248 $11,564
Avg Net Price $7,259 $25,485
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $23,933
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Carroll University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 4,728
Admitted 5,939 3,411
Acceptance Rate 86% 72.1%
Enrolled % 27.6% 19.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 22/28
SAT Range 1030/1290 1060/1340
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 Carroll University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

NKU Carroll University
Graduation Rate 37% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Carroll University
% Men 36% 32%
% Women 64% 68%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 83%
% Black 7% 1%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Carroll University
% In-State 66% 66%
% Out-of-State 26% 30%

Campus

NKU Carroll University
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 Carroll University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,283 students)

NKU vs. Carroll University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Carroll University?

  • Carroll University is 246.4% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($35,360.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 72.8% higher at Carroll University than Northern Kentucky University ($35,360.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Carroll University ($7,259 vs. $25,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 2.8% lower than costs at Carroll University ($11,248 vs. $11,564)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Carroll University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll University students is 112.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($23,933 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Carroll University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Carroll University (1087) is 19 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Carroll University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Carroll University (3.39)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Carroll University (72.1%)

NKU vs. Carroll University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Carroll 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 Carroll University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Carroll University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (57% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Carroll University earn on average $4,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Carroll University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Carroll University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Carroll University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)

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