NKU vs. Madonna University

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

NKU Madonna University
Location Highland Heights, KY Livonia, MI
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 14,961 2,054
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #732
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu madonna.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Madonna University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $27,360
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $27,360
Room & Board $11,660 $12,840
Avg Net Price $8,151 $18,583
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $19,907
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

NKU Madonna University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 1,655
Admitted 6,162 1,538
Acceptance Rate 96% 92.9%
Enrolled % 21% 17.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.35
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133 890/1120
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, 2026

Academics

NKU Madonna University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (32%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

NKU Madonna University
Graduation Rate 37% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $42,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $258

Diversity

NKU Madonna University
% Men 10% 4%
% Women 24% 12%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 63%
% Black 7% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 16%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Madonna University
% In-State 71% 86%
% Out-of-State 28% 12%

Campus

NKU Madonna 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 Madonna University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,054 students)

NKU vs. Madonna University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Madonna University?

  • Madonna University is 160.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($27,360.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.7% higher at Madonna University than Northern Kentucky University ($27,360.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Madonna University ($8,151 vs. $18,583)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 10.1% lower than costs at Madonna University ($11,660 vs. $12,840)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Madonna University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Madonna University students is 73.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($19,907 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Madonna University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 38 points higher than at Madonna University (1030)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Madonna University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Madonna University (3.35)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Madonna University (92.9%)

NKU vs. Madonna University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Madonna University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (42% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Madonna University earn on average $2,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Madonna University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Madonna University graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madonna University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 48%)

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