NKU vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 8,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

NKU vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UHCL? 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 UHCL ($9,211 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 0.6% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,642 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 42.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $3,318 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at NKU than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $798 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($12,630 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 10 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UHCL (3.39).
• UHCL 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. 22.2% at UHCL.

NKU vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and UHCL? 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).

• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $7,800 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($17,150 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($177 vs. $257).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.