NKU vs. Francis Marion University

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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State
Northern Kentucky University vs. Francis Marion University comparison
Northern Kentucky University Francis Marion University College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University Francis Marion University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NKU Francis Marion University
Location Highland Heights, KY Florence, SC
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 14,961 4,017
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #895
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu fmarion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Francis Marion University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $10,384
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $20,768
Room & Board $11,660 $8,898
Avg Net Price $8,151 $11,231
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $11,674
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

NKU Francis Marion University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 3,489
Admitted 6,162 2,869
Acceptance Rate 96% 82.2%
Enrolled % 21% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.89
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 17/23
SAT Range 916/1133 900/1138
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, 2026

Academics

NKU Francis Marion University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

NKU Francis Marion University
Graduation Rate 37% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $320

Diversity

NKU Francis Marion University
% Men 10% 2%
% Women 24% 8%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 46%
% Black 7% 47%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Francis Marion University
% In-State 71% 92%
% Out-of-State 28% 6%

Campus

NKU Francis Marion 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 Francis Marion University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 4,017 students)

NKU vs. Francis Marion University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Francis Marion University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 1.2% more expensive to attend than Francis Marion University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $10,384.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.6% higher at NKU than Francis Marion University ($21,096.00 vs. $20,768.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Francis Marion University ($8,151 vs. $11,231)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Francis Marion University are 31% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,898 vs. $11,660)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Francis Marion University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Francis Marion University students is 1.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($11,674 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Francis Marion University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 141 points higher than at Francis Marion University (927)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Francis Marion University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Francis Marion University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Francis Marion University (82.2%)

NKU vs. Francis Marion University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Francis Marion 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 Francis Marion University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Francis Marion University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (42% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $3,500 more per year than Francis Marion University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $36,200)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $6,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Francis Marion University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $31,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Francis Marion University graduates. ($257 vs. $320)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Francis Marion University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 42%)

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