NKU vs. Northwood University-Michigan

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

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
Location Highland Heights, KY Midland, MI
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 2,360
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #640
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu northwood.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $31,400
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $31,400
Room & Board $11,660 $12,500
Avg Net Price $8,151 $26,429
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $20,685
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 2,074
Admitted 6,162 1,740
Acceptance Rate 96% 83.9%
Enrolled % 21% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 17/23
SAT Range 916/1133 950/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (93%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
  • Health Professions (1%)
  • Communication (1%)

Outcomes

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
Graduation Rate 37% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $50,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $21,775
Median Loan Payment $257 $225

Diversity

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
% Men 10% 9%
% Women 24% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 67%
% Black 7% 9%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 13%

Students

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
% In-State 71% 83%
% Out-of-State 28% 15%

Campus

NKU Northwood University-Michigan
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 Northwood University-Michigan based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,360 students)

NKU vs. Northwood University-Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Northwood University-Michigan?

  • Northwood University Michigan is 198.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($31,400.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48.8% higher at Northwood University-Michigan than Northern Kentucky University ($31,400.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Northwood University-Michigan ($8,151 vs. $26,429)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 7.2% lower than costs at Northwood University Michigan ($11,660 vs. $12,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwood University Michigan than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwood University Michigan students is 80% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($20,685 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Northwood University-Michigan Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 42 points higher than at Northwood University-Michigan (1026)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northwood University-Michigan (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Northwood University-Michigan (3.41)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Northwood University-Michigan (83.9%)

NKU vs. Northwood University-Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Northwood University-Michigan? 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 Northwood University-Michigan and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Northwood University-Michigan is higher than Northern Kentucky University (53% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northwood University Michigan earn on average $10,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Northwood University Michigan students graduate with a $3,175 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,775 vs. $24,950)
  • Northwood University-Michigan graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($225 vs. $257)
  • More Northwood University-Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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