NKU vs. Otterbein University

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

NKU Otterbein University
Location Highland Heights, KY Westerville, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 2,458
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #542
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $33,824
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $33,824
Room & Board $11,248 $11,988
Avg Net Price $7,259 $22,661
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $24,060
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 3,762
Admitted 5,939 3,148
Acceptance Rate 86% 83.7%
Enrolled % 27.6% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 20/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 1035/1260
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

Academics

NKU Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

NKU Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 37% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Otterbein University
% Men 36% 39%
% Women 64% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 76%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

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

Campus

NKU Otterbein 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 Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,458 students)

NKU vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Otterbein University?

  • Otterbein University is 231.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($33,824.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 65.3% higher at Otterbein University than Northern Kentucky University ($33,824.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Otterbein University ($7,259 vs. $22,661)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 6.6% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($11,248 vs. $11,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 113.4% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,060 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 52 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Otterbein University (83.7%)

NKU vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Otterbein University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (62% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Otterbein University earn on average $5,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Otterbein University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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