NKU vs. Laurel University

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

NKU Laurel University
Location Highland Heights, KY High Point, NC
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 14,961 158
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu laureluniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Laurel University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $10,500
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $10,500
Room & Board $11,660 $9,280
Avg Net Price $8,151 $19,269
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $6,212
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

NKU Laurel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96%
Enrolled % 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.16
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Neither required nor recommended
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU Laurel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 0:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (88%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (2%)
  • Psychology (2%)

Outcomes

NKU Laurel University
Graduation Rate 37% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $38,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 39%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,969
Median Loan Payment $257 $289

Diversity

NKU Laurel University
% Men 10% 0%
% Women 24% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 41%
% Black 7% 33%
% Hispanic 3% 9%
% Native American 0% 8%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU Laurel University
% In-State 71% -
% Out-of-State 28% -

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Laurel University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 158 students)

NKU vs. Laurel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Laurel University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 0.1% more expensive to attend than Laurel University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $10,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 100.9% higher at NKU than Laurel University ($21,096.00 vs. $10,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Laurel University ($8,151 vs. $19,269)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Laurel University are 25.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,280 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Laurel University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 85% larger than aid received Laurel University ($11,492 vs. $6,212)

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 174 points higher than at Laurel University (894)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Laurel University (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Laurel University (3.16)

NKU vs. Laurel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Laurel University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (60% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $800 more per year than Laurel University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $38,900)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $3,019 lower median federal student loan debt than Laurel University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,969)
  • NKU graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than Laurel University graduates. ($257 vs. $289)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laurel University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 39%)

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