NKU vs. Elon

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

NKU Elon
Location Highland Heights, KY Elon, NC
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 7,123
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #116
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu elon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Elon
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $41,734
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $41,734
Room & Board $11,248 $13,886
Avg Net Price $7,259 $41,527
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $13,880
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 68%

Admission

NKU Elon
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 17,551
Admitted 5,939 13,069
Acceptance Rate 86% 74.5%
Enrolled % 27.6% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 25/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1170/1360
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 Jan 10, 2025

Academics

NKU Elon
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Elon
Graduation Rate 37% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $56,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $257 $240

Diversity

NKU Elon
% Men 36% 40%
% Women 64% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 82%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Elon
% In-State 66% 18%
% Out-of-State 26% 80%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Elon based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 7,123 students)

NKU vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Elon?

  • Elon University is 308.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($41,734.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 103.9% higher at Elon than Northern Kentucky University ($41,734.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Elon ($7,259 vs. $41,527)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 23.5% lower than costs at Elon University ($11,248 vs. $13,886)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Elon University (100% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 23.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($13,880 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Elon Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Elon University (1211) is 143 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Elon students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Elon (74.5%)

NKU vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Elon? 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 Elon and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Elon is higher than Northern Kentucky University (82% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Elon University earn on average $16,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($56,200 vs. $39,700)
  • Elon University students graduate with a $1,700 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,950)
  • Elon graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($240 vs. $257)
  • More Elon 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/