NKU vs. Montreat College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Montreat College in Montreat, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Montreat College based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 962 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Montreat College is in Montreat, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montreat College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Montreat College 11:1.

NKU vs. Montreat College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Montreat College? 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 Montreat College ($9,211 vs. $28,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montreat College are 6.5% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,890 vs. $12,712).
• Montreat College is 228.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $25,362 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.3% higher at Montreat College than at Northern Kentucky University (about $14,538 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Montreat College (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montreat College students is 83.8% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($18,992 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. Montreat College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montreat College (1130) is 80 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Montreat College 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; Montreat College 1030/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Montreat College 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Montreat College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Montreat College (3.07).
• Montreat College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 17.9% at Montreat College.

NKU vs. Montreat College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Montreat College? 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).

• Northern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Montreat College's (35%).
• Graduates from Montreat College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $50 lower median loan debt than Montreat College graduates ($24,950 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Montreat College graduates ($257 vs. $258).
• More Montreat College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.