NKU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

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

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Location Highland Heights, KY Slippery Rock, PA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 8,350
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #760
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu sru.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $11,574
Room & Board $11,660 $10,584
Avg Net Price $8,151 $18,407
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $6,167
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 73%

Admission

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 6,119
Admitted 6,162 4,566
Acceptance Rate 96% 74.6%
Enrolled % 21% 33.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133 980/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Graduation Rate 37% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $258

Diversity

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
% Men 10% 4%
% Women 24% 14%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 86%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
% In-State 71% 89%
% Out-of-State 28% 11%

Campus

NKU Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
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

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 8,350 students)

NKU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 36.2% more expensive to attend than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 82.3% higher at NKU than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($21,096.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($8,151 vs. $18,407)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are 10.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,584 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (98% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 86.3% larger than aid received Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($11,492 vs. $6,167)

NKU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 69 points higher than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (999)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (22)
  • Accepted freshman Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (74.6%)

NKU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is higher than Northern Kentucky University (59% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania earn on average $2,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 53%)

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