NKU vs. Kean

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Kean based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 13,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Kean University is in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Kean University 17:1.

NKU vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Kean? 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 Kean ($9,211 vs. $12,708).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 30.4% lower than at Kean University ($12,712 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $3,211 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Kean than at Northern Kentucky University (about $534 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Kean University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 45.6% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($15,048 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. Kean Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Kean? 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 Kean and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 10 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Kean University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Kean - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Kean (3.2).
• Kean has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 18.7% at Kean.

NKU vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Kean? 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $50 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($24,950 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($257 vs. $258).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 52%)

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.