NKU vs. South College

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

NKU South College
Location Highland Heights, KY Knoxville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 14,961 8,234
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website nku.edu southcollegetn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU South College
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $16,450
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $16,450
Room & Board $11,660 $17,856
Avg Net Price $8,151 $16,584
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $13,698
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 83%

Admission

NKU South 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

Academics

NKU South College
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 23:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (76%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Legal Professions (4%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)

Outcomes

NKU South College
Graduation Rate 37% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $29,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 31%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $34,777
Median Loan Payment $257 $359

Diversity

NKU South College
% Men 10% 7%
% Women 24% 16%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 83%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU South College
% In-State 71% 50%
% Out-of-State 28% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than South College based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 8,234 students)

NKU vs. South College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or South College?

  • South College is 56.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($16,450.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.2% higher at NKU than South College ($21,096.00 vs. $16,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than South College ($8,151 vs. $16,584)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 53.1% lower than costs at South College ($11,660 vs. $17,856)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than South College (98% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by South College students is 19.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($13,698 vs. $11,492)

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

NKU vs. South College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or South 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 South College and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than South College (37% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $10,500 more per year than South College graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $29,200)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $9,827 lower median federal student loan debt than South College graduates. ($24,950 vs. $34,777)
  • NKU graduates are paying $102 less per month on federal student loans than South College graduates. ($257 vs. $359)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 31%)

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