NKU vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 816 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Randolph College 8:1.

NKU vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Randolph? 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 Randolph ($9,211 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 2.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,350 vs. $12,712).
• Randolph College is 173.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $19,222 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at Randolph than at Northern Kentucky University (about $8,398 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 126.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($23,372 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Randolph? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Randolph and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 110 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Randolph students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman NKU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Randolph (3.35).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

NKU vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Randolph? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Randolph College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.