NKU vs. SVU

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

NKU SVU
Location Highland Heights, KY Buena Vista, VA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 1,053
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #984
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu svu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU SVU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $18,858
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $18,858
Room & Board $11,248 $9,150
Avg Net Price $7,259 $23,274
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $8,188
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

NKU SVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,090
Admitted 5,939 1,084
Acceptance Rate 86% 99.4%
Enrolled % 27.6% 35.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 1030/1290 900/1250
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 SVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Work and Family Studies (12%)

Outcomes

NKU SVU
Graduation Rate 37% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $23,654
Median Loan Payment $257 $244

Diversity

NKU SVU
% Men 36% 53%
% Women 64% 47%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 80%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU SVU
% In-State 66% 12%
% Out-of-State 26% 73%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than SVU based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,053 students)

NKU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or SVU?

  • Southern Virginia University is 84.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($18,858.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.5% higher at NKU than Southern Virginia University ($20,464.00 vs. $18,858.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than SVU ($7,259 vs. $23,274)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 22.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,150 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 37.7% larger than aid received Southern Virginia University ($11,275 vs. $8,188)

NKU vs. SVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 27 points higher than at SVU (1041)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at SVU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at SVU (3.19)
  • SVU has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or SVU? 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 SVU and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Southern Virginia University (37% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn on average $900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Southern Virginia University students graduate with a $1,296 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,654 vs. $24,950)
  • SVU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($244 vs. $257)
  • More SVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 53%)

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