NKU vs. Penn State DuBois

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Penn State DuBois in DuBois, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Penn State DuBois based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 350 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State DuBois is in DuBois, PA (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State DuBois is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Penn State DuBois 9:1.

NKU vs. Penn State DuBois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Penn State DuBois? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Penn State DuBois ($9,211 vs. $17,880).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 16.8% lower than at Penn State DuBois ($12,712 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State DuBois is 29.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $3,320 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Penn State DuBois than at Northern Kentucky University (about $2,222 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Penn State DuBois (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State DuBois students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($11,039 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. Penn State DuBois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Penn State DuBois? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State DuBois and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State DuBois (1100) is 50 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Penn State DuBois 990/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Penn State DuBois - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Penn State DuBois has a higher acceptance rate (97.1%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 28.1% at Penn State DuBois.

NKU vs. Penn State DuBois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Penn State DuBois? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Penn State DuBois's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State DuBois earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,868 lower median loan debt than Penn State DuBois graduates ($24,950 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State DuBois graduates ($257 vs. $277).
• More Penn State DuBois 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.