NKU vs. Siena Heights University

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

NKU Siena Heights University
Location Highland Heights, KY Adrian, MI
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 1,832
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #668
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu sienaheights.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Siena Heights University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $28,500
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $28,500
Room & Board $11,660 $13,240
Avg Net Price $8,151 $17,740
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $24,957
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU Siena Heights University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 1,809
Admitted 6,162 1,204
Acceptance Rate 96% 66.6%
Enrolled % 21% 24.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.32
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 16/20
SAT Range 916/1133 890/1140
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, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

NKU Siena Heights University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Siena Heights University
Graduation Rate 37% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $42,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $17,746
Median Loan Payment $257 $183

Diversity

NKU Siena Heights University
% Men 10% 3%
% Women 24% 6%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 60%
% Black 7% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 19%

Students

NKU Siena Heights University
% In-State 71% 70%
% Out-of-State 28% 27%

Campus

NKU Siena Heights 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 Siena Heights University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,832 students)

NKU vs. Siena Heights University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Siena Heights University?

  • Siena Heights University is 171.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.1% higher at Siena Heights University than Northern Kentucky University ($28,500.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Siena Heights University ($8,151 vs. $17,740)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 13.6% lower than costs at Siena Heights University ($11,660 vs. $13,240)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Siena Heights University than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Siena Heights University students is 117.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,957 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Siena Heights University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 41 points higher than at Siena Heights University (1027)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Siena Heights University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Siena Heights University (3.32)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Siena Heights University (66.6%)

NKU vs. Siena Heights University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Siena Heights 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 Siena Heights University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Siena Heights University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (42% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Siena Heights University earn on average $2,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $39,700)
  • Siena Heights University students graduate with a $7,204 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($17,746 vs. $24,950)
  • Siena Heights University graduates are paying $74 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($183 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Siena Heights University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 52%)

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