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Middle Tennessee State University UT Martin Arkansas State University Kentucky Ole Miss Tennessee University of Toledo UTC Eastern Mississippi State Austin Peay State University Tennessee Tech| Northern Kentucky University | University of Memphis | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | Memphis | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Memphis, TN | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 15,801 | 21,917 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #805 | #883 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | memphis.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Memphis | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,208 | $8,352 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $20,464 | $12,576 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,248 | $10,126 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $7,259 | $13,873 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,275 | $9,625 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 98% |
Admission |
NKU | Memphis | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,905 | 15,767 | ||
| Admitted | 5,939 | 14,916 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86% | 94.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 27.6% | 16.2% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.48 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 17/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 1030/1290 | 930/1230 | ||
| 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 | Jul 1, 2025 |
Academics |
NKU | Memphis | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | Memphis | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 38% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $42,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 37% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $25,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $261 |
Diversity |
NKU | Memphis | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 36% | 40% | ||
| % Women | 64% | 60% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 50% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 37% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
NKU | Memphis | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 66% | 81% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 26% | 17% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Memphis | ||
| 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 Memphis is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (21,917 students vs. 15,801 students)
NKU vs. Memphis Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Memphis?
- Northern Kentucky University is 22.2% more expensive to attend than Memphis for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $8,352.00)
- Out of state tuition is 62.7% higher at NKU than University of Memphis ($20,464.00 vs. $12,576.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Memphis ($7,259 vs. $13,873)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 11.1% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,126 vs. $11,248)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Memphis (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 17.1% larger than aid received University of Memphis ($11,275 vs. $9,625)
NKU vs. Memphis Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Memphis? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Memphis or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 39 points higher than at Memphis (1029)
- Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Memphis (22)
- Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at NKU (3.42)
- Memphis has a higher acceptance rate (94.6%) than NKU (86%)
NKU vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Memphis? 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 Memphis and NKU.
- The graduation rate at Memphis is higher than Northern Kentucky University (38% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from University of Memphis earn on average $2,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $300 lower median federal student loan debt than Memphis graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,250)
- NKU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Memphis graduates. ($257 vs. $261)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/