NKU vs. Pfeiffer University

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

NKU Pfeiffer University
Location Highland Heights, KY Misenheimer, NC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Rural
Enrollment 14,961 954
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu pfeiffer.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Pfeiffer University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $32,580
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $32,580
Room & Board $11,660 $12,520
Avg Net Price $8,151 $21,402
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $25,458
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU Pfeiffer University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 1,637
Admitted 6,162 1,560
Acceptance Rate 96% 95.3%
Enrolled % 21% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.18
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/25
SAT Range 916/1133 891/1165
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, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU Pfeiffer University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)

Outcomes

NKU Pfeiffer University
Graduation Rate 37% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $41,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $22,399
Median Loan Payment $257 $231

Diversity

NKU Pfeiffer University
% Men 10% 8%
% Women 24% 24%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 52%
% Black 7% 21%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 15%

Students

NKU Pfeiffer University
% In-State 71% 78%
% Out-of-State 28% 22%

Campus

NKU Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 954 students)

NKU vs. Pfeiffer University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Pfeiffer University?

  • Pfeiffer University is 209.9% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($32,580.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.4% higher at Pfeiffer University than Northern Kentucky University ($32,580.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Pfeiffer University ($8,151 vs. $21,402)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 7.4% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($11,660 vs. $12,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is 121.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($25,458 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Pfeiffer University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 137 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Pfeiffer University (95.3%)

NKU vs. Pfeiffer University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Pfeiffer University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (45% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Pfeiffer University earn on average $1,400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($41,100 vs. $39,700)
  • Pfeiffer University students graduate with a $2,551 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,399 vs. $24,950)
  • Pfeiffer University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($231 vs. $257)
  • More Pfeiffer University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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