NKU vs. Union College

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Union College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or Union College 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. Union College comparison
Northern Kentucky University Union College College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University Union College
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Overview

NKU Union College
Location Highland Heights, KY Barbourville, KY
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 15,801 970
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu unionky.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Union College
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $28,737
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $28,737
Room & Board $11,248 $8,261
Avg Net Price $7,259 $18,221
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $23,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Union College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,142
Admitted 5,939 610
Acceptance Rate 86% 53.4%
Enrolled % 27.6% 32.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.15
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 16/22
SAT Range 1030/1290 955/1148
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU Union College
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Union College
Graduation Rate 37% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $34,800
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $248

Diversity

NKU Union College
% Men 36% 57%
% Women 64% 43%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 72%
% Black 7% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 3% 8%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Union College
% In-State 66% 58%
% Out-of-State 26% 28%

Campus

NKU Union College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Union College based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 970 students)

NKU vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Union College?

  • Union College is 181.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($28,737.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.4% higher at Union College than Northern Kentucky University ($28,737.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Union College ($7,259 vs. $18,221)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 36.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,261 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Union College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 105.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($23,168 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Union College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 98 points higher than at Union College (970)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Union College (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Union College (3.15)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Union College (53.4%)

NKU vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Union College? 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 Union College and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Union College (37% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $4,900 more per year than Union College graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $34,800)
  • Union College students graduate with a $950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,950)
  • Union College graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($248 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/