NKU vs. University of Nevada-Reno

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

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
Location Highland Heights, KY Reno, NV
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,801 20,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #443
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu unr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $8,133
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $24,687
Room & Board $11,248 $13,796
Avg Net Price $7,259 $16,670
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $7,829
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 92%

Admission

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 9,398
Admitted 5,939 8,047
Acceptance Rate 86% 85.6%
Enrolled % 27.6% 41%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 20/26
SAT Range 1030/1290 1060/1270
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, 2025 Apr 7, 2025

Academics

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
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%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
Graduation Rate 37% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $18,801
Median Loan Payment $257 $194

Diversity

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
% Men 36% 46%
% Women 64% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 60%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 19%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
% In-State 66% 76%
% Out-of-State 26% 23%

Campus

NKU University of Nevada-Reno
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nevada Reno is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (20,945 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or University of Nevada-Reno?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 25.5% more expensive to attend than University of Nevada-Reno for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $8,133.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.6% higher at University of Nevada-Reno than Northern Kentucky University ($24,687.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Nevada-Reno ($7,259 vs. $16,670)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 22.7% lower than costs at University of Nevada Reno ($11,248 vs. $13,796)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Nevada Reno (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 44% larger than aid received University of Nevada Reno ($11,275 vs. $7,829)

NKU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nevada Reno (1084) is 16 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming University of Nevada-Reno students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than University of Nevada-Reno (85.6%)

NKU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada-Reno and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Nevada-Reno is higher than Northern Kentucky University (51% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn on average $13,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $39,700)
  • University of Nevada Reno students graduate with a $6,149 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($18,801 vs. $24,950)
  • University of Nevada-Reno graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($194 vs. $257)
  • More University of Nevada-Reno 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/