NKU vs. ONU

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

NKU ONU
Location Highland Heights, KY Ada, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 3,015
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #211
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu onu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU ONU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $35,480
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $35,480
Room & Board $11,248 $12,900
Avg Net Price $7,259 $27,398
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $24,235
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

NKU ONU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 6,625
Admitted 5,939 3,602
Acceptance Rate 86% 54.4%
Enrolled % 27.6% 18.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.78
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 25/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1160/1340
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU ONU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

NKU ONU
Graduation Rate 37% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $71,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU ONU
% Men 36% 52%
% Women 64% 48%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 84%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

NKU ONU
% In-State 66% 83%
% Out-of-State 26% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than ONU based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,015 students)

NKU vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or ONU?

  • Ohio Northern University is 247.6% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($35,480.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 73.4% higher at ONU than Northern Kentucky University ($35,480.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than ONU ($7,259 vs. $27,398)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 14.7% lower than costs at Ohio Northern University ($11,248 vs. $12,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 114.9% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,235 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. ONU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ohio Northern University (1158) is 90 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming ONU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than ONU (54.4%)

NKU vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at ONU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (65% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn on average $31,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($71,200 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than ONU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than ONU graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 53%)

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