NKU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

NKU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UTC? 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 UTC ($9,211 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 0.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,604 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $640 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at NKU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $3,400 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 2.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($10,332 vs. $10,038).

NKU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or UTC? 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 UTC and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 60 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at NKU (3.42).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

NKU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and UTC? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $900 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $4,158 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($20,792 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($214 vs. $257).
• More UTC 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.