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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State| Northern Kentucky University | National College Salem | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Salem, VA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Midsize Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 824 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | For-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | national-college.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $10,735 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $10,735 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $7,000 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $19,988 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $4,077 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 94% |
Admission |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | - | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | |||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | - | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $23,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 14% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $27,398 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $283 |
Diversity |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 12% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 10% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 46% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 27% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 22% |
Students |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 13% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 85% | ||
Campus |
NKU | National College-Salem | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | No | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than National College-Salem based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 824 students)
NKU vs. National College-Salem Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or National College-Salem?
- National College Salem is 2.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($10,735.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 96.5% higher at NKU than National College Salem ($21,096.00 vs. $10,735.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than National College-Salem ($8,151 vs. $19,988)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National College Salem are 66.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($7,000 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than National College Salem (98% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 181.9% larger than aid received National College Salem ($11,492 vs. $4,077)
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or National College-Salem? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between National College-Salem or NKU .
NKU vs. National College-Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or National College-Salem? 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 National College-Salem and NKU.
- Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $16,600 more per year than National College-Salem graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $23,100)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,448 lower median federal student loan debt than National College-Salem graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,398)
- NKU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than National College-Salem graduates. ($257 vs. $283)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National College-Salem students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 14%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/