NKU vs. University of Akron

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

NKU University of Akron
Location Highland Heights, KY Akron, OH
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,801 13,465
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #838
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu uakron.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU University of Akron
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $10,097
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $13,170
Room & Board $11,248 $12,410
Avg Net Price $7,259 $14,667
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $8,525
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

NKU University of Akron
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 12,282
Admitted 5,939 10,178
Acceptance Rate 86% 82.9%Open
Enrolled % 27.6% 20.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 980/1230
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

NKU University of Akron
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

NKU University of Akron
Graduation Rate 37% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $263

Diversity

NKU University of Akron
% Men 36% 50%
% Women 64% 50%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 74%
% Black 7% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

NKU University of Akron
% In-State 66% 92%
% Out-of-State 26% 7%

Campus

NKU University of Akron
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 13,465 students)

NKU vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or University of Akron?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 1.1% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $10,097.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55.4% higher at NKU than University of Akron Main Campus ($20,464.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Akron ($7,259 vs. $14,667)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 10.3% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($11,248 vs. $12,410)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Akron Main Campus (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 32.3% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($11,275 vs. $8,525)

NKU vs. University of Akron Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 19 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Akron students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than University of Akron (82.9%)

NKU vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or University of Akron? 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 University of Akron and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Akron is higher than Northern Kentucky University (38% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of Akron Main Campus earn on average $400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,100 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $550 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,500)
  • NKU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($257 vs. $263)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

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