NKU vs. MIAD

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or MIAD 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. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design comparison
Northern Kentucky University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

NKU MIAD
Location Highland Heights, KY Milwaukee, WI
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 14,961 885
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu miad.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU MIAD
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $40,480
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $40,480
Room & Board $11,660 $10,430
Avg Net Price $8,151 $28,024
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $24,605
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU MIAD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 1,059
Admitted 6,162 665
Acceptance Rate 96% 62.8%
Enrolled % 21% 30.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 20/28
SAT Range 916/1133 940/1140
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 Aug 31, 2026

Academics

NKU MIAD
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%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
  • Communications Technology (7%)
  • Architecture (6%)

Outcomes

NKU MIAD
Graduation Rate 37% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $36,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU MIAD
% Men 10% 0%
% Women 24% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 68%
% Black 7% 8%
% Hispanic 3% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU MIAD
% In-State 71% 56%
% Out-of-State 28% 44%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than MIAD based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 885 students)

NKU vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or MIAD?

  • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 285.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($40,480.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.9% higher at MIAD than Northern Kentucky University ($40,480.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than MIAD ($8,151 vs. $28,024)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 11.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,430 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 114.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,605 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. MIAD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at MIAD (3.08)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than MIAD (62.8%)

NKU vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at MIAD is higher than Northern Kentucky University (57% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $3,700 more per year than MIAD graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $36,000)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than MIAD graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than MIAD graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

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