NKU vs. MVNU

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

 NKU MVNU
Location Highland Heights, KY Mount Vernon, OH
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 15,801 1,941
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #623
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu mvnu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NKU MVNU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $33,918
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $33,918
Room & Board $11,248 $9,612
Avg Net Price $7,259 $23,391
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $23,202
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 NKU MVNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,070
Admitted 5,939 913
Acceptance Rate 86% 85.3%
Enrolled % 27.6% 32.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.55
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 963/1228
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

Academics

 NKU MVNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

 NKU MVNU
Graduation Rate 37% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,536
Median Loan Payment $257 $274

Diversity

 NKU MVNU
% Men 36% 38%
% Women 64% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 85%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

 NKU MVNU
% In-State 66% 85%
% Out-of-State 26% 13%

Campus

 NKU MVNU
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 MVNU based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,941 students)

NKU vs. MVNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or MVNU?

  • Mount Vernon Nazarene University is 232.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($33,918.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 65.7% higher at MVNU than Northern Kentucky University ($33,918.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than MVNU ($7,259 vs. $23,391)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University are 17% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,612 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Mount Vernon Nazarene University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Vernon Nazarene University students is 105.8% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($23,202 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. MVNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 21 points higher than at MVNU (1047)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at MVNU (23)
  • Accepted freshman MVNU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than MVNU (85.3%)

NKU vs. MVNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at MVNU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (57% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn on average $6,400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,586 lower median federal student loan debt than MVNU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,536)
  • NKU graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than MVNU graduates. ($257 vs. $274)
  • More MVNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 53%)

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