NKU vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

NKU vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UC Merced? 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 UC Merced ($9,211 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 40.7% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,712 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 40.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $4,535 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.4% higher at UC Merced than at Northern Kentucky University (about $27,911 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at University of California Merced (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 164.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($27,292 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or UC Merced? 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 UC Merced and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is the same as at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming NKU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NKU (3.42).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

NKU vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and UC Merced? 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 California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,051 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($19,899 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($205 vs. $257).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.