NKU vs. Southern Adventist University

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Southern Adventist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or Southern Adventist 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Oakwood University
Northern Kentucky University vs. Southern Adventist University comparison
Northern Kentucky University Southern Adventist University College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

NKU Southern Adventist University
Location Highland Heights, KY Collegedale, TN
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 2,903
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #563
Religious Affiliation - Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu southern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Southern Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $22,980
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $22,980
Room & Board $11,248 $8,330
Avg Net Price $7,259 $24,332
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $14,000
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

NKU Southern Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 2,490
Admitted 5,939 1,638
Acceptance Rate 86% 65.8%
Enrolled % 27.6% 38.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 1030/1290 980/1280
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 Southern Adventist 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%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)

Outcomes

NKU Southern Adventist University
Graduation Rate 37% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $274

Diversity

NKU Southern Adventist University
% Men 36% 43%
% Women 64% 57%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 48%
% Black 7% 11%
% Hispanic 3% 21%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU Southern Adventist University
% In-State 66% 18%
% Out-of-State 26% 77%

Campus

NKU Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,903 students)

NKU vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Southern Adventist University?

  • Southern Adventist University is 125.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($22,980.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at Southern Adventist University than Northern Kentucky University ($22,980.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Southern Adventist University ($7,259 vs. $24,332)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 35% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,330 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Adventist University students is 24.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($14,000 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Southern Adventist University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Southern Adventist University (65.8%)

NKU vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Adventist University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (51% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn on average $4,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,550 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,500)
  • NKU graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($257 vs. $274)
  • More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

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