NKU vs. Union University

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

NKU Union University
Location Highland Heights, KY Jackson, TN
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,801 2,731
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #169
Religious Affiliation - Southern Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu uu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Union University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $35,500
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $35,500
Room & Board $11,248 $10,740
Avg Net Price $7,259 $28,585
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $28,520
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Union University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 2,839
Admitted 5,939 1,492
Acceptance Rate 86% 52.6%
Enrolled % 27.6% 22.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 23/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1100/1370
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 University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • General Studies (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (5%)

Outcomes

NKU Union University
Graduation Rate 37% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $48,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,840
Median Loan Payment $257 $256

Diversity

NKU Union University
% Men 36% 34%
% Women 64% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 70%
% Black 7% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

NKU Union University
% In-State 66% 62%
% Out-of-State 26% 36%

Campus

NKU Union University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
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 University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,731 students)

NKU vs. Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Union University?

  • Union University is 247.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($35,500.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 73.5% higher at Union University than Northern Kentucky University ($35,500.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Union University ($7,259 vs. $28,585)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union University are 4.7% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,740 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Union University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union University students is 152.9% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($28,520 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Union University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Union University (1163) is 95 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Union University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Union University students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Union University (52.6%)

NKU vs. Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Union University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (61% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Union University earn on average $8,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $39,700)
  • Union University students graduate with a $110 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,840 vs. $24,950)
  • Union University graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($256 vs. $257)
  • More Union University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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