NKU vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

NKU vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or MIAD? 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 MIAD ($9,211 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 13.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,955 vs. $12,712).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 294.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $32,655 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.6% higher at MIAD than at Northern Kentucky University (about $21,831 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 151.8% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($26,015 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or MIAD? 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 MIAD and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 10 points higher than at MIAD (1040).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• 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 (67.6%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

NKU vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and MIAD? 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).

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.