NKU vs. Rowan University

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

NKU Rowan University
Location Highland Heights, KY Glassboro, NJ
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 19,535
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #209
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu rowan.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Rowan University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $10,715
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $20,108
Room & Board $11,248 $15,956
Avg Net Price $7,259 $20,963
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $11,246
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 84%

Admission

NKU Rowan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 16,903
Admitted 5,939 13,006
Acceptance Rate 86% 76.9%
Enrolled % 27.6% 19.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 23/31
SAT Range 1030/1290 1090/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU Rowan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Rowan University
Graduation Rate 37% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $53,300
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $206

Diversity

NKU Rowan University
% Men 36% 49%
% Women 64% 51%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 69%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

NKU Rowan University
% In-State 66% 94%
% Out-of-State 26% 5%

Campus

NKU Rowan University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rowan University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (19,535 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. Rowan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Rowan University?

  • Rowan University is 5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($10,715.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.8% higher at NKU than Rowan University ($20,464.00 vs. $20,108.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Rowan University ($7,259 vs. $20,963)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 41.9% lower than costs at Rowan University ($11,248 vs. $15,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Rowan University (100% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 0.3% larger than aid received Rowan University ($11,275 vs. $11,246)

NKU vs. Rowan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 3 points higher than at Rowan University (1065)
  • Accepted freshman Rowan University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Rowan University (76.9%)

NKU vs. Rowan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Rowan University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (68% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Rowan University earn on average $13,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($53,300 vs. $39,700)
  • Rowan University students graduate with a $4,950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,000 vs. $24,950)
  • Rowan University graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($206 vs. $257)
  • More Rowan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 53%)

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