NKU vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

NKU vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or SWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than SWU ($9,211 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 20.3% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,126 vs. $12,712).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 168.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $18,712 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at SWU than at Northern Kentucky University (about $7,888 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 88.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($19,498 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 80 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming SWU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at NKU (3.42).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 33.4% at SWU.

NKU vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.