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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU Livingstone College| Northern Kentucky University | Johnson C Smith University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | JCSU | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Charlotte, NC | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 1,102 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | #958 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | jcsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | JCSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $18,450 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $18,450 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $9,014 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $19,326 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $14,883 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 98% |
Admission |
NKU | JCSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | 4,273 | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | 1,832 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 42.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 15.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 2.48 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | C+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 13/18 | ||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | 800/980 | ||
| 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, 2026 |
Academics |
NKU | JCSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 11:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
NKU | JCSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $30,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 26% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $32,050 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $331 |
Diversity |
NKU | JCSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 1% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 3% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | Yes | ||
| % White | 82% | 0% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 79% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 9% |
Students |
NKU | JCSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 46% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 52% | ||
Campus |
NKU | JCSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than JCSU based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,102 students)
NKU vs. JCSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or JCSU?
- Johnson C Smith University is 75.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($18,450.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 14.3% higher at NKU than Johnson C Smith University ($21,096.00 vs. $18,450.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than JCSU ($8,151 vs. $19,326)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 29.4% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,014 vs. $11,660)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Johnson C Smith University (98% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 29.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($14,883 vs. $11,492)
NKU vs. JCSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or JCSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between JCSU or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 272 points higher than at JCSU (796)
- Incoming NKU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at JCSU (17)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.94 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at JCSU (2.48)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than JCSU (42.9%)
NKU vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or JCSU? 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 JCSU and NKU.
- The graduation rate at NKU is the same as at Johnson C Smith University (37% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $9,400 more per year than JCSU graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $30,300)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $7,100 lower median federal student loan debt than JCSU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $32,050)
- NKU graduates are paying $74 less per month on federal student loans than JCSU graduates. ($257 vs. $331)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 26%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/