NKU vs. Sullivan University

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

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Northern Kentucky University vs. Sullivan University comparison
Northern Kentucky University Sullivan University College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

NKU Sullivan University
Location Highland Heights, KY Louisville, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 14,961 2,855
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website nku.edu sullivan.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Sullivan University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $14,220
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $14,220
Room & Board $11,660 $10,485
Avg Net Price $8,151 $22,766
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $8,376
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 96%

Admission

NKU Sullivan University
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 Sullivan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (50%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (16%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Legal Professions (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Sullivan University
Graduation Rate 37% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $34,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 31%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,596
Median Loan Payment $257 $254

Diversity

NKU Sullivan University
% Men 10% 3%
% Women 24% 8%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 50%
% Black 7% 18%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 9%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 20%

Students

NKU Sullivan University
% In-State 71% 68%
% Out-of-State 28% 26%

Campus

NKU Sullivan 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 Sullivan University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,855 students)

NKU vs. Sullivan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Sullivan University?

  • Sullivan University is 35.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($14,220.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48.4% higher at NKU than Sullivan University ($21,096.00 vs. $14,220.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Sullivan University ($8,151 vs. $22,766)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sullivan University are 11.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,485 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Sullivan University (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 37.2% larger than aid received Sullivan University ($11,492 vs. $8,376)

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

NKU vs. Sullivan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Sullivan 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 Sullivan University and NKU.

  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $5,700 more per year than Sullivan University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $34,000)
  • Sullivan University students graduate with a $354 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,596 vs. $24,950)
  • Sullivan University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($254 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sullivan University 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/