NKU vs. Saint Francis University

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

NKU Saint Francis University
Location Highland Heights, KY Loretto, PA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 2,857
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #510
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu francis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Saint Francis University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $39,820
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $39,820
Room & Board $11,248 $13,452
Avg Net Price $7,259 $27,459
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $28,453
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Saint Francis University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 2,167
Admitted 5,939 1,583
Acceptance Rate 86% 73.1%
Enrolled % 27.6% 21.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 20/26
SAT Range 1030/1290 1030/1240
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 Saint Francis University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Health Professions (28%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

NKU Saint Francis University
Graduation Rate 37% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $54,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Saint Francis University
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 46%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 41%

Students

NKU Saint Francis University
% In-State 66% 71%
% Out-of-State 26% 27%

Campus

NKU Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,857 students)

NKU vs. Saint Francis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Saint Francis University?

  • Saint Francis University is 290.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($39,820.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.6% higher at Saint Francis University than Northern Kentucky University ($39,820.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Saint Francis University ($7,259 vs. $27,459)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 19.6% lower than costs at Saint Francis University ($11,248 vs. $13,452)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Saint Francis University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Francis University students is 152.4% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($28,453 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Saint Francis University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 8 points higher than at Saint Francis University (1060)
  • Incoming Saint Francis University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Saint Francis University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Saint Francis University (73.1%)

NKU vs. Saint Francis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Saint Francis University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (64% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Saint Francis University earn on average $14,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Saint Francis University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Saint Francis University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Saint Francis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)

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