NKU vs. Nicholls State University

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

NKU Nicholls State University
Location Highland Heights, KY Thibodaux, LA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 14,961 6,180
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #899
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu nicholls.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Nicholls State University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $4,922
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $6,015
Room & Board $11,660 $10,938
Avg Net Price $8,151 $11,029
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $10,052
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 88%

Admission

NKU Nicholls State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 3,320
Admitted 6,162 3,188
Acceptance Rate 96% 96%
Enrolled % 21% 36.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.34
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 916/1133 928/1145
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU Nicholls State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Nicholls State University
Graduation Rate 37% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $19,848
Median Loan Payment $257 $205

Diversity

NKU Nicholls State University
% Men 10% 2%
% Women 24% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 68%
% Black 7% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Nicholls State University
% In-State 71% 93%
% Out-of-State 28% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 6,180 students)

NKU vs. Nicholls State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Nicholls State University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 113.6% more expensive to attend than Nicholls State University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $4,922.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 250.7% higher at NKU than Nicholls State University ($21,096.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Nicholls State University ($8,151 vs. $11,029)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 6.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,938 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Nicholls State University (98% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 14.3% larger than aid received Nicholls State University ($11,492 vs. $10,052)

NKU vs. Nicholls State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 38 points higher than at Nicholls State University (1030)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Nicholls State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Nicholls State University (3.34)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Nicholls State University (96%)

NKU vs. Nicholls State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Nicholls State University? 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 Nicholls State University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Nicholls State University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (38% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Nicholls State University earn on average $2,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Nicholls State University students graduate with a $5,102 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($19,848 vs. $24,950)
  • Nicholls State University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($205 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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