NKU vs. Lipscomb

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

NKU Lipscomb
Location Highland Heights, KY Nashville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 4,704
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #279
Religious Affiliation - Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu lipscomb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Lipscomb
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $34,304
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $34,304
Room & Board $11,248 $14,036
Avg Net Price $7,259 $27,937
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $24,404
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Lipscomb
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 3,705
Admitted 5,939 2,635
Acceptance Rate 86% 71.1%
Enrolled % 27.6% 26.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 23/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1130/1320
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 Lipscomb
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Lipscomb
Graduation Rate 37% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $46,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $211

Diversity

NKU Lipscomb
% Men 36% 35%
% Women 64% 65%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 77%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU Lipscomb
% In-State 66% 54%
% Out-of-State 26% 44%

Campus

NKU Lipscomb
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 Lipscomb based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 4,704 students)

NKU vs. Lipscomb Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Lipscomb?

  • Lipscomb University is 236.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($34,304.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.6% higher at Lipscomb than Northern Kentucky University ($34,304.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Lipscomb ($7,259 vs. $27,937)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 24.8% lower than costs at Lipscomb University ($11,248 vs. $14,036)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Lipscomb University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lipscomb University students is 116.4% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,404 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Lipscomb Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lipscomb University (1176) is 108 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Lipscomb students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Lipscomb 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 Lipscomb (71.1%)

NKU vs. Lipscomb Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Lipscomb is higher than Northern Kentucky University (63% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Lipscomb University earn on average $7,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($46,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Lipscomb University students graduate with a $4,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Lipscomb graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($211 vs. $257)
  • More Lipscomb graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 53%)

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