NKU vs. Ohio University

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

NKU Ohio University
Location Highland Heights, KY Athens, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 24,145
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #525
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu ohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Ohio University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $13,352
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $23,720
Room & Board $11,248 $12,336
Avg Net Price $7,259 $20,207
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $9,416
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

NKU Ohio University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 24,978
Admitted 5,939 21,610
Acceptance Rate 86% 86.5%
Enrolled % 27.6% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 22/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 1080/1270
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

NKU Ohio University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Ohio University
Graduation Rate 37% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $211

Diversity

NKU Ohio University
% Men 36% 40%
% Women 64% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 83%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Ohio University
% In-State 66% 88%
% Out-of-State 26% 12%

Campus

NKU Ohio 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

  • Ohio University Main Campus is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (24,145 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. Ohio University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Ohio University?

  • Ohio University Main Campus is 30.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($13,352.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.9% higher at Ohio University than Northern Kentucky University ($23,720.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Ohio University ($7,259 vs. $20,207)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 9.7% lower than costs at Ohio University Main Campus ($11,248 vs. $12,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Ohio University Main Campus (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 19.7% larger than aid received Ohio University Main Campus ($11,275 vs. $9,416)

NKU vs. Ohio University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ohio University Main Campus (1108) is 40 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Ohio University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Ohio University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Ohio University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. Ohio University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Ohio 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 Ohio University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Ohio University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (65% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Ohio University Main Campus earn on average $4,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Ohio University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Ohio University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($211 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio 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/