NKU vs. Johnson University

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

NKU Johnson University
Location Highland Heights, KY Knoxville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 14,961 950
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu johnsonu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Johnson University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $18,428
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $18,428
Room & Board $11,660 $9,278
Avg Net Price $8,151 $20,713
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $9,797
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

NKU Johnson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 610
Admitted 6,162 328
Acceptance Rate 96% 53.8%
Enrolled % 21% 55.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/24
SAT Range 916/1133 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

NKU Johnson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (86%)
  • Education (14%)

Outcomes

NKU Johnson University
Graduation Rate 37% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $31,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $21,380
Median Loan Payment $257 $221

Diversity

NKU Johnson University
% Men 10% 13%
% Women 24% 12%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 87%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU Johnson University
% In-State 71% 59%
% Out-of-State 28% 34%

Campus

NKU Johnson University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Johnson University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 950 students)

NKU vs. Johnson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Johnson University?

  • Johnson University is 75.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($18,428.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.5% higher at NKU than Johnson University ($21,096.00 vs. $18,428.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Johnson University ($8,151 vs. $20,713)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 25.7% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,278 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Johnson University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 17.3% larger than aid received Johnson University ($11,492 vs. $9,797)

NKU vs. Johnson University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 33 points higher than at Johnson University (1035)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Johnson University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Johnson University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Johnson University (53.8%)

NKU vs. Johnson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Johnson 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 Johnson University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Johnson University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (54% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $8,600 more per year than Johnson University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $31,100)
  • Johnson University students graduate with a $3,570 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,380 vs. $24,950)
  • Johnson University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($221 vs. $257)
  • More Johnson University 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/