NKU vs. Ranken Technical College

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

NKU Ranken Technical College
Location Highland Heights, KY Saint Louis, MO
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 14,961 1,696
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu ranken.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Ranken Technical College
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $16,200
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $16,200
Room & Board $11,660 $8,926
Avg Net Price $8,151 $16,136
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $12,014
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 73%

Admission

NKU Ranken Technical College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades 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 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

NKU Ranken Technical College
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (51%)
  • Engineering Technology (31%)
  • Construction Trades (9%)
  • Precision Production Trades (6%)
  • Business (4%)

Outcomes

NKU Ranken Technical College
Graduation Rate 37% 100%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $50,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $13,750
Median Loan Payment $257 $142

Diversity

NKU Ranken Technical College
% Men 10% 0%
% Women 24% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 72%
% Black 7% 22%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU Ranken Technical College
% In-State 71% 79%
% Out-of-State 28% 21%

Campus

NKU Ranken Technical College
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 Ranken Technical College based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,696 students)

NKU vs. Ranken Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Ranken Technical College?

  • Ranken Technical College is 54.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($16,200.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.2% higher at NKU than Ranken Technical College ($21,096.00 vs. $16,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Ranken Technical College ($8,151 vs. $16,136)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ranken Technical College are 30.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,926 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Ranken Technical College (98% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ranken Technical College students is 4.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,014 vs. $11,492)

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

NKU vs. Ranken Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Ranken Technical College? 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 Ranken Technical College and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Ranken Technical College is higher than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Ranken Technical College earn on average $10,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($50,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Ranken Technical College students graduate with a $11,200 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($13,750 vs. $24,950)
  • Ranken Technical College graduates are paying $115 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($142 vs. $257)
  • More Ranken Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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