NKU vs. Lee University

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

NKU Lee University
Location Highland Heights, KY Cleveland, TN
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,801 3,927
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #787
Religious Affiliation - Church of God - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu leeuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Lee University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $21,000
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $21,000
Room & Board $11,248 $8,840
Avg Net Price $7,259 $19,726
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $14,042
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

NKU Lee University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 2,014
Admitted 5,939 1,462
Acceptance Rate 86% 72.6%
Enrolled % 27.6% 35.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 1010/1240
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 Lee 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%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

NKU Lee University
Graduation Rate 37% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Lee University
% Men 36% 39%
% Women 64% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 79%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

NKU Lee University
% In-State 66% 48%
% Out-of-State 26% 50%

Campus

NKU Lee 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 Lee University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,927 students)

NKU vs. Lee University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Lee University?

  • Lee University is 105.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($21,000.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.6% higher at Lee University than Northern Kentucky University ($21,000.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Lee University ($7,259 vs. $19,726)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 27.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,840 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Lee University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lee University students is 24.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($14,042 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Lee University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lee University (1088) is 20 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Lee University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Lee University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Lee University (72.6%)

NKU vs. Lee University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Lee University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (49% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Lee University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,100)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Lee University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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