NKU vs. Kettering University

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

NKU Kettering University
Location Highland Heights, KY Flint, MI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,801 1,769
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #255
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu kettering.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Kettering University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $44,380
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $44,380
Room & Board $11,248 $8,930
Avg Net Price $7,259 $34,486
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $24,697
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Kettering University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,823
Admitted 5,939 1,472
Acceptance Rate 86% 80.7%
Enrolled % 27.6% 20%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.77
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 24/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1130/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU Kettering University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Engineering (91%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Business (3%)
  • Mathematics (2%)
  • Biology (1%)

Outcomes

NKU Kettering University
Graduation Rate 37% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $76,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,399
Median Loan Payment $257 $272

Diversity

NKU Kettering University
% Men 36% 79%
% Women 64% 21%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 76%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

NKU Kettering University
% In-State 66% 83%
% Out-of-State 26% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Kettering University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,769 students)

NKU vs. Kettering University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Kettering University?

  • Kettering University is 334.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($44,380.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 116.9% higher at Kettering University than Northern Kentucky University ($44,380.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Kettering University ($7,259 vs. $34,486)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kettering University are 26% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,930 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Kettering University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kettering University students is 119% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,697 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Kettering University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Kettering University (1204) is 136 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Kettering University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Kettering University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Kettering University (80.7%)

NKU vs. Kettering University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Kettering University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (59% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Kettering University earn on average $36,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($76,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,449 lower median federal student loan debt than Kettering University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,399)
  • NKU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Kettering University graduates. ($257 vs. $272)
  • More Kettering University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/