NKU vs. Central Washington University

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

NKU Central Washington University
Location Highland Heights, KY Ellensburg, WA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 8,796
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #667
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $7,021
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $24,600
Room & Board $11,660 $16,314
Avg Net Price $8,151 $15,558
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $8,970
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 90%

Admission

NKU Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 6,829
Admitted 6,162 6,161
Acceptance Rate 96% 90.2%
Enrolled % 21% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 17/24
SAT Range 916/1133 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

NKU Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

NKU Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 37% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $257 $214

Diversity

NKU Central Washington University
% Men 10% 2%
% Women 24% 3%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 59%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 14%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 9%

Students

NKU Central Washington University
% In-State 71% 93%
% Out-of-State 28% 6%

Campus

NKU Central Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 8,796 students)

NKU vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Central Washington University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 49.7% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,021.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.6% higher at Central Washington University than Northern Kentucky University ($24,600.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Central Washington University ($8,151 vs. $15,558)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 39.9% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($11,660 vs. $16,314)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Central Washington University (98% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 28.1% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($11,492 vs. $8,970)

NKU vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 90 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Central Washington University (90.2%)

NKU vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Central Washington 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 Central Washington University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (56% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $8,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $39,700)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $4,213 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,737 vs. $24,950)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($214 vs. $257)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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