NKU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State
Northern Kentucky University vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University comparison
Northern Kentucky University Potomac State College of West Virginia University College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Location Highland Heights, KY Keyser, WV
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 1,143
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu potomacstatecollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $5,040
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $12,624
Room & Board $11,660 $11,900
Avg Net Price $8,151 $7,685
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $6,761
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.06
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Agriculture (17%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)

Outcomes

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Graduation Rate 37% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $257 $248

Diversity

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% Men 10% 6%
% Women 24% 11%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 69%
% Black 7% 23%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
% In-State 71% 76%
% Out-of-State 28% 23%

Campus

NKU Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,143 students)

NKU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 108.6% more expensive to attend than Potomac State College of West Virginia University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $5,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.1% higher at NKU than Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($21,096.00 vs. $12,624.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than NKU ($7,685 vs. $8,151)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 2.1% lower than costs at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($11,660 vs. $11,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 70% larger than aid received Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($11,492 vs. $6,761)

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

  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06)

NKU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and NKU.

  • Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn on average $10,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University students graduate with a $949 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,001 vs. $24,950)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($248 vs. $257)
  • More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

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