NKU vs. Erskine College

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

NKU Erskine College
Location Highland Heights, KY Due West, SC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Rural
Enrollment 14,961 984
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - Reformed Presbyterian Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu erskine.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Erskine College
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $34,435
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $34,435
Room & Board $11,660 $12,450
Avg Net Price $8,151 $21,982
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $32,409
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU Erskine College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 1,037
Admitted 6,162 628
Acceptance Rate 96% 60.6%
Enrolled % 21% 47%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 17/23
SAT Range 916/1133 920/1150
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, 2025

Academics

NKU Erskine College
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

NKU Erskine College
Graduation Rate 37% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,750
Median Loan Payment $257 $276

Diversity

NKU Erskine College
% Men 10% 10%
% Women 24% 3%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 67%
% Black 7% 13%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 13%

Students

NKU Erskine College
% In-State 71% 62%
% Out-of-State 28% 33%

Campus

NKU Erskine College
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 Erskine College based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 984 students)

NKU vs. Erskine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Erskine College?

  • Erskine College is 227.6% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($34,435.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.2% higher at Erskine College than Northern Kentucky University ($34,435.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Erskine College ($8,151 vs. $21,982)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 6.8% lower than costs at Erskine College ($11,660 vs. $12,450)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Erskine College than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Erskine College students is 182% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($32,409 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Erskine College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 75 points higher than at Erskine College (993)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Erskine College (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Erskine College (3.26)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Erskine College (60.6%)

NKU vs. Erskine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Erskine College? 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 Erskine College and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Erskine College is higher than Northern Kentucky University (55% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Erskine College earn on average $600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,800 lower median federal student loan debt than Erskine College graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,750)
  • NKU graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans than Erskine College graduates. ($257 vs. $276)
  • More Erskine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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