NKU vs. UC

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

NKU UC
Location Highland Heights, KY Cincinnati, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 41,155
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #413
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu uc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU UC
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $11,498
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $26,862
Room & Board $11,248 $12,852
Avg Net Price $7,259 $20,149
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $8,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

NKU UC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 29,025
Admitted 5,939 25,024
Acceptance Rate 86% 86.2%
Enrolled % 27.6% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 24/29
SAT Range 1030/1290 1160/1360
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

NKU UC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

NKU UC
Graduation Rate 37% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $45,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $237

Diversity

NKU UC
% Men 36% 46%
% Women 64% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 75%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

NKU UC
% In-State 66% 78%
% Out-of-State 26% 17%

Campus

NKU UC
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

  • University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (41,155 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UC?

  • University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 12.6% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($11,498.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.3% higher at UC than Northern Kentucky University ($26,862.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than UC ($7,259 vs. $20,149)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 14.3% lower than costs at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($11,248 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Cincinnati Main Campus (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 29.1% larger than aid received University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($11,275 vs. $8,733)

NKU vs. UC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1165) is 97 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming UC students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • UC has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or UC? 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 UC and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at UC is higher than Northern Kentucky University (59% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of Cincinnati Main Campus earn on average $5,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($45,600 vs. $39,700)
  • University of Cincinnati Main Campus students graduate with a $1,950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,000 vs. $24,950)
  • UC graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($237 vs. $257)
  • More UC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)

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