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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State| Northern Kentucky University | Union Institute & University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | Union | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Cincinnati, OH | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 787 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | myunion.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Union | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $13,880 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $13,880 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $11,508 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 0% |
Admission |
NKU | Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | - | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | |||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
NKU | Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 6:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
NKU | Union | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 9% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $51,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 56% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $18,495 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $191 |
Diversity |
NKU | Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 40% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 60% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 36% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 18% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 32% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 9% |
Students |
NKU | Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 23% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 73% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Union | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | No | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Union based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 787 students)
NKU vs. Union Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Union?
- Union Institute & University is 32% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($13,880.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 52% higher at NKU than Union Institute & University ($21,096.00 vs. $13,880.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Institute & University are 1.3% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,508 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Union Institute & University (98% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is ?% larger than aid received Union Institute & University ($11,492 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Union? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Union or NKU .
NKU vs. Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Union? 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 and NKU.
- The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Union Institute & University (37% vs. 9%)
- Graduates from Union Institute & University earn on average $11,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($51,400 vs. $39,700)
- Union Institute & University students graduate with a $6,455 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($18,495 vs. $24,950)
- Union graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($191 vs. $257)
- More Union 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/