NKU vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville

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

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
Location Highland Heights, KY Asheville, NC
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,801 2,914
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #444
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu unca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $4,122
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $21,470
Room & Board $11,248 $10,556
Avg Net Price $7,259 $14,730
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $6,491
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 4,278
Admitted 5,939 3,179
Acceptance Rate 86% 74.3%
Enrolled % 27.6% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 21/28
SAT Range 1030/1290 1145/1340
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
Graduation Rate 37% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,641
Median Loan Payment $257 $213

Diversity

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 80%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
% In-State 66% 82%
% Out-of-State 26% 16%

Campus

NKU University of North Carolina at Asheville
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 North Carolina at Asheville based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,914 students)

NKU vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or University of North Carolina at Asheville?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 147.6% more expensive to attend than University of North Carolina at Asheville for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $4,122.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.9% higher at University of North Carolina at Asheville than Northern Kentucky University ($21,470.00 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 North Carolina at Asheville ($7,259 vs. $14,730)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Asheville are 6.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,556 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of North Carolina at Asheville (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 73.7% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Asheville ($11,275 vs. $6,491)

NKU vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Asheville (1159) is 91 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than University of North Carolina at Asheville (74.3%)

NKU vs. University of North Carolina at Asheville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or University of North Carolina at Asheville? 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 North Carolina at Asheville and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Asheville is higher than Northern Kentucky University (61% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $1,800 more per year than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,900)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville students graduate with a $4,309 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,641 vs. $24,950)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($213 vs. $257)
  • More University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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