NKU vs. Cornerstone University

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

NKU Cornerstone University
Location Highland Heights, KY Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,801 1,781
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #867
Religious Affiliation - Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu cornerstone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Cornerstone University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $27,580
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $27,580
Room & Board $11,248 $10,520
Avg Net Price $7,259 $20,935
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $18,502
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Cornerstone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,926
Admitted 5,939 1,575
Acceptance Rate 86% 81.8%
Enrolled % 27.6% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.28
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 20/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 970/1220
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, 2025

Academics

NKU Cornerstone University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (56%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

NKU Cornerstone University
Graduation Rate 37% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $258

Diversity

NKU Cornerstone University
% Men 36% 40%
% Women 64% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 78%
% Black 7% 13%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU Cornerstone University
% In-State 66% 80%
% Out-of-State 26% 14%

Campus

NKU Cornerstone 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 Cornerstone University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,781 students)

NKU vs. Cornerstone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Cornerstone University?

  • Cornerstone University is 170.2% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($27,580.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.8% higher at Cornerstone University than Northern Kentucky University ($27,580.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Cornerstone University ($7,259 vs. $20,935)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornerstone University are 6.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,520 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Cornerstone University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornerstone University students is 64.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($18,502 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Cornerstone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 35 points higher than at Cornerstone University (1033)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Cornerstone University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Cornerstone University (3.28)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Cornerstone University (81.8%)

NKU vs. Cornerstone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Cornerstone University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (43% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $900 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $38,800)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Cornerstone University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Cornerstone University graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More Cornerstone University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

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