NKU vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

NKU vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UNC Charlotte? 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 UNC Charlotte ($9,211 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 12.1% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($12,712 vs. $14,458).
• Northern Kentucky University is 53.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $3,849 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at UNC Charlotte than at Northern Kentucky University (about $580 more per year; $22,492.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (98% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 29.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($10,332 vs. $7,966).

NKU vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 190 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming UNC Charlotte students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Charlotte students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at NKU (3.42).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

NKU vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and UNC Charlotte? 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).

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $1,950 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($237 vs. $257).
• More UNC Charlotte 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.