NKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University

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

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
Location Highland Heights, KY Henderson, TN
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 2,330
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #816
Religious Affiliation - Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu fhu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $24,300
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $24,300
Room & Board $11,248 $7,950
Avg Net Price $7,259 $18,556
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $17,349
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,067
Admitted 5,939 973
Acceptance Rate 86% 91.2%
Enrolled % 27.6% 34%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 1030/1290 1040/1240
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

Academics

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
Graduation Rate 37% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,700
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $268

Diversity

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
% Men 36% 43%
% Women 64% 57%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 85%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
% In-State 66% 57%
% Out-of-State 26% 40%

Campus

NKU Freed-Hardeman University
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 Freed-Hardeman University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,330 students)

NKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Freed-Hardeman University?

  • Freed Hardeman University is 138% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($24,300.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.7% higher at Freed-Hardeman University than Northern Kentucky University ($24,300.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Freed-Hardeman University ($7,259 vs. $18,556)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Freed Hardeman University are 41.5% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($7,950 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Freed Hardeman University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Freed Hardeman University students is 53.9% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($17,349 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Freed Hardeman University (1101) is 33 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Freed-Hardeman University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Freed-Hardeman University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Freed-Hardeman University has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Freed-Hardeman University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (50% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Freed Hardeman University earn on average $1,000 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,700 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Freed-Hardeman University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Freed-Hardeman University graduates. ($257 vs. $268)
  • More Freed-Hardeman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 53%)

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