NKU vs. Hiram

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Hiram College in Hiram, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Hiram based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 1,061 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Hiram College is in Hiram, OH (Distant Rural setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hiram College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Hiram College 11:1.

NKU vs. Hiram Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Hiram? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Hiram ($9,211 vs. $21,868).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hiram College are 6.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,850 vs. $12,712).
• Hiram College is 148.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $16,512 more per year; $27,600.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26% higher at Hiram than at Northern Kentucky University (about $5,688 more per year; $27,600.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hiram College than at Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hiram College students is 81.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($18,726 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. Hiram Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Hiram? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Hiram and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 50 points higher than at Hiram (1000).
• Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Hiram).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Hiram College 890/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Hiram College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Hiram - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Hiram (3.28).
• Hiram has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 12.9% at Hiram.

NKU vs. Hiram Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Hiram? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Hiram College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Hiram College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than Hiram graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hiram graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More Hiram graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.