NKU vs. UNCSA

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

NKU UNCSA
Location Highland Heights, KY Winston-Salem, NC
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,801 1,104
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #291
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu uncsa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU UNCSA
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $6,497
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $23,731
Room & Board $11,248 $12,902
Avg Net Price $7,259 $11,251
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $10,868
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 69%

Admission

NKU UNCSA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,139
Admitted 5,939 362
Acceptance Rate 86% 31.8%
Enrolled % 27.6% 58%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 19/25 22/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1115/1350
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 Mar 15, 2025

Academics

NKU UNCSA
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

NKU UNCSA
Graduation Rate 37% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU UNCSA
% Men 36% 41%
% Women 64% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 72%
% Black 7% 9%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU UNCSA
% In-State 66% 43%
% Out-of-State 26% 52%

Campus

NKU UNCSA
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 UNCSA based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,104 students)

NKU vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or UNCSA?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 57.1% more expensive to attend than UNCSA for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $6,497.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16% higher at UNCSA than Northern Kentucky University ($23,731.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than UNCSA ($7,259 vs. $11,251)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 14.7% lower than costs at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($11,248 vs. $12,902)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of North Carolina School of the Arts (100% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 3.7% larger than aid received University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($11,275 vs. $10,868)

NKU vs. UNCSA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1108) is 40 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming UNCSA students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UNCSA (31.8%)

NKU vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or UNCSA? 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 UNCSA and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at UNCSA is higher than Northern Kentucky University (58% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $600 more per year than UNCSA graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $39,100)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than UNCSA graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than UNCSA graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More UNCSA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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