NKU vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 2,167 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

NKU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise ($9,211 vs. $14,378).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 0.8% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($12,712 vs. $12,816).
• University of Virginia's College at Wise is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $692 more per year; $11,780.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at UVa-Wise than at Northern Kentucky University (about $6,098 more per year; $28,010.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($12,262 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 20 points higher than at UVa-Wise (1030).
• Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UVa-Wise).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at NKU (3.42).
• NKU has a higher acceptance rate (67.6%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

NKU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and UVa-Wise? 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).

• University of Virginia's College at Wise's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia's College at Wise earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $4,123 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($20,827 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($215 vs. $257).
• More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.