NKU vs. Limestone University

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

 NKU Limestone University
Location Highland Heights, KY Gaffney, SC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 1,782
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #898
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu limestone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NKU Limestone University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $26,400
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $26,400
Room & Board $11,660 $10,079
Avg Net Price $8,151 $21,177
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $19,792
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

 NKU Limestone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 3,075
Admitted 6,162 3,022
Acceptance Rate 96% 98.3%
Enrolled % 21% 10.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133 980/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 NKU Limestone 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%)
  • Business (48%)
  • Human Services (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

 NKU Limestone University
Graduation Rate 37% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,250
Median Loan Payment $257 $281

Diversity

 NKU Limestone University
% Men 10% 5%
% Women 24% 6%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 42%
% Black 7% 48%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 NKU Limestone University
% In-State 71% 61%
% Out-of-State 28% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Limestone University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,782 students)

NKU vs. Limestone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Limestone University?

  • Limestone University is 151.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($26,400.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.1% higher at Limestone University than Northern Kentucky University ($26,400.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Limestone University ($8,151 vs. $21,177)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Limestone University are 15.7% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,079 vs. $11,660)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Limestone University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Limestone University students is 72.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($19,792 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Limestone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 166 points higher than at Limestone University (902)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Limestone University (19)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at Limestone University (3.42)
  • Limestone University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than NKU (96%)

NKU vs. Limestone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Limestone University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (39% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Limestone University earn on average $800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,300 lower median federal student loan debt than Limestone University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,250)
  • NKU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Limestone University graduates. ($257 vs. $281)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Limestone University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 36%)

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