NKU vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 2,844 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Carthage College 14:1.

NKU vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Carthage? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Carthage ($9,211 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 5.5% lower than at Carthage College ($12,712 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 249.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $27,662 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.8% higher at Carthage than at Northern Kentucky University (about $16,838 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 130.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($23,784 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Carthage? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carthage and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Carthage College (1100) is 50 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Carthage students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman NKU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

NKU vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Carthage? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.