NKU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus in Indiana, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 9,073 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is in Indiana, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 23:1.

NKU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus ($9,211 vs. $17,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 4.3% lower than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus ($12,712 vs. $13,286).
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $292 more per year; $11,380.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at NKU than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus (about $5,615 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $16,297.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus than at Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus students ($10,332 vs. $9,154).

NKU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus (1080) is 30 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 970/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (3.39).
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 24% at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus.

NKU vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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).

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.