NKU vs. Cedarville University

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Cedarville University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or Cedarville 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Northern Kentucky University vs. Cedarville University comparison
Northern Kentucky University Cedarville University College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University Cedarville University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NKU Cedarville University
Location Highland Heights, KY Cedarville, OH
Setting Large Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 15,801 4,960
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #312
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu cedarville.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Cedarville University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $34,498
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $34,498
Room & Board $11,248 $8,400
Avg Net Price $7,259 $25,462
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $19,637
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Cedarville University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 5,435
Admitted 5,939 3,526
Acceptance Rate 86% 64.9%
Enrolled % 27.6% 32.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.9
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 23/29
SAT Range 1030/1290 1130/1380
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 Cedarville University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Engineering (8%)

Outcomes

NKU Cedarville University
Graduation Rate 37% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $45,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $232

Diversity

NKU Cedarville University
% Men 36% 45%
% Women 64% 55%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 87%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Cedarville University
% In-State 66% 34%
% Out-of-State 26% 62%

Campus

NKU Cedarville 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 Cedarville University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 4,960 students)

NKU vs. Cedarville University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Cedarville University?

  • Cedarville University is 238% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($34,498.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.6% higher at Cedarville University than Northern Kentucky University ($34,498.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Cedarville University ($7,259 vs. $25,462)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedarville University are 33.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,400 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Cedarville University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cedarville University students is 74.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($19,637 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Cedarville University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cedarville University (1169) is 101 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Cedarville University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Cedarville University students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Cedarville University (64.9%)

NKU vs. Cedarville University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Cedarville University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (68% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Cedarville University earn on average $6,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($45,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Cedarville University students graduate with a $2,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Cedarville University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($232 vs. $257)
  • More Cedarville University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 53%)

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