NKU vs. UT Permian Basin

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with The University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than UT Permian Basin based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 5,585 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); The University of Texas Permian Basin is in Odessa, TX (Small City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas Permian Basin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; The University of Texas Permian Basin 19:1.

NKU vs. UT Permian Basin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UT Permian Basin? 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 UT Permian Basin ($9,211 vs. $13,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 9.8% lower than at The University of Texas Permian Basin ($12,712 vs. $14,098).
• Northern Kentucky University is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Permian Basin (about $1,852 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $9,236.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at NKU than at The University of Texas Permian Basin (about $408 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $21,504.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at The University of Texas Permian Basin (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 11.5% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Permian Basin students ($10,332 vs. $9,269).

NKU vs. UT Permian Basin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or UT Permian Basin? 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 UT Permian Basin and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 30 points higher than at UT Permian Basin (1020).
• Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UT Permian Basin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; The University of Texas Permian Basin 910/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; The University of Texas Permian Basin 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; UT Permian Basin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; UT Permian Basin Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UT Permian Basin (3.27).
• UT Permian Basin has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 44% at UT Permian Basin.

NKU vs. UT Permian Basin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and UT Permian Basin? 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).

• Northern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than The University of Texas Permian Basin's (34%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas Permian Basin earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Permian Basin graduates have a $11,295 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($13,655 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, UT Permian Basin graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($141 vs. $257).
• More UT Permian Basin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.