NKU vs. University of Charleston

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

NKU University of Charleston
Location Highland Heights, KY Charleston, WV
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 14,961 2,758
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #698
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu ucwv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU University of Charleston
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $32,342
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $32,342
Room & Board $11,660 $11,162
Avg Net Price $8,151 $21,100
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $23,439
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

NKU University of Charleston
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 1,635
Admitted 6,162 1,055
Acceptance Rate 96% 64.5%
Enrolled % 21% 24%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.13
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/23
SAT Range 916/1133 985/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU University of Charleston
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

NKU University of Charleston
Graduation Rate 37% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $211

Diversity

NKU University of Charleston
% Men 10% 15%
% Women 24% 10%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 58%
% Black 7% 9%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 1% 22%

Students

NKU University of Charleston
% In-State 71% 57%
% Out-of-State 28% 30%

Campus

NKU University of Charleston
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 University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,758 students)

NKU vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Charleston is 207.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($32,342.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.3% higher at University of Charleston than Northern Kentucky University ($32,342.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Charleston ($8,151 vs. $21,100)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 4.5% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,162 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Charleston than Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 104% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($23,439 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. University of Charleston Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 74 points higher than at University of Charleston (994)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Charleston (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Charleston (3.13)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than University of Charleston (64.5%)

NKU vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Charleston is higher than Northern Kentucky University (51% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of Charleston earn on average $5,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $39,700)
  • University of Charleston students graduate with a $4,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,950)
  • University of Charleston graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($211 vs. $257)
  • More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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