NKU vs. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

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

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Location Highland Heights, KY Pembroke, NC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 7,630
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #965
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu uncp.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $5,000
Room & Board $11,660 $11,016
Avg Net Price $8,151 $9,687
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $7,008
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 80%

Admission

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 7,635
Admitted 6,162 7,052
Acceptance Rate 96% 92.4%
Enrolled % 21% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 16/21
SAT Range 916/1133 890/1140
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, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Biology (9%)

Outcomes

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Graduation Rate 37% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $35,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $21,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $217

Diversity

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
% Men 10% 7%
% Women 24% 21%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 37%
% Black 7% 36%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 15%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
% In-State 71% 82%
% Out-of-State 28% 9%

Campus

NKU University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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 Pembroke based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 7,630 students)

NKU vs. University of North Carolina at Pembroke Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern Kentucky University is 951.2% more expensive to attend than University of North Carolina at Pembroke for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 321.9% higher at NKU than University of North Carolina at Pembroke ($21,096.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of North Carolina at Pembroke ($8,151 vs. $9,687)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are 5.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,016 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of North Carolina at Pembroke (98% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 64% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Pembroke ($11,492 vs. $7,008)

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

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 142 points higher than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (926)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of North Carolina at Pembroke students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than University of North Carolina at Pembroke (92.4%)

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

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

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than University of North Carolina at Pembroke (37% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $4,200 more per year than University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $35,500)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke students graduate with a $3,950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,000 vs. $24,950)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($217 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina at Pembroke students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

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