NKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

NKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or The University of Tennessee Southern? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($9,211 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 34.7% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($8,300 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $164 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.6% higher at NKU than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $10,988 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($10,358 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or The University of Tennessee Southern? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between The University of Tennessee Southern and NKU.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 40 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming NKU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at The University of Tennessee Southern (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

NKU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and The University of Tennessee Southern? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $2,635 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($22,315 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($230 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.