NKU vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tarleton State University is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

NKU vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($9,211 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 14.1% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,920 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 33.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $2,786 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at NKU than at Tarleton State University (about $3,770 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Tarleton State University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($10,332 vs. $7,929).

NKU vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Tarleton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tarleton and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming NKU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Tarleton (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

NKU vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and Tarleton? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $5,200 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($204 vs. $257).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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.