NKU vs. Marquette University

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

NKU Marquette University
Location Highland Heights, KY Milwaukee, WI
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 11,167
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #216
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu marquette.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Marquette University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $45,860
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $45,860
Room & Board $11,248 $14,636
Avg Net Price $7,259 $33,136
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $29,102
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Marquette University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 15,883
Admitted 5,939 13,851
Acceptance Rate 86% 87.2%
Enrolled % 27.6% 14.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 26/31
SAT Range 1030/1290 1170/1360
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 Dec 1, 2024

Academics

NKU Marquette University
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 (27%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

NKU Marquette University
Graduation Rate 37% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $67,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Marquette University
% Men 36% 43%
% Women 64% 57%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 73%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU Marquette University
% In-State 66% 33%
% Out-of-State 26% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Marquette University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 11,167 students)

NKU vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Marquette University?

  • Marquette University is 349.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($45,860.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 124.1% higher at Marquette University than Northern Kentucky University ($45,860.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Marquette University ($7,259 vs. $33,136)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 30.1% lower than costs at Marquette University ($11,248 vs. $14,636)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Marquette University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marquette University students is 158.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($29,102 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Marquette University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marquette University (1219) is 151 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Marquette University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Marquette University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Marquette University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (81% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Marquette University earn on average $27,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($67,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Marquette University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Marquette University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Marquette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 53%)

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