NKU vs. University of Pikeville

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

NKU University of Pikeville
Location Highland Heights, KY Pikeville, KY
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 14,961 2,610
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu upike.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU University of Pikeville
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $24,000
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $24,000
Room & Board $11,660 $8,600
Avg Net Price $8,151 $13,819
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $19,395
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU University of Pikeville
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU University of Pikeville
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 (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

NKU University of Pikeville
Graduation Rate 37% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $35,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 39%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $253

Diversity

NKU University of Pikeville
% Men 10% 18%
% Women 24% 21%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 81%
% Black 7% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU University of Pikeville
% In-State 71% 77%
% Out-of-State 28% 20%

Campus

NKU University of Pikeville
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 Pikeville based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,610 students)

NKU vs. University of Pikeville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or University of Pikeville?

  • University of Pikeville is 128.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($24,000.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.8% higher at University of Pikeville than Northern Kentucky University ($24,000.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Pikeville ($8,151 vs. $13,819)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pikeville are 35.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,600 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Pikeville than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pikeville students is 68.8% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($19,395 vs. $11,492)

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 103 points higher than at University of Pikeville (965)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Pikeville (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at University of Pikeville (3.42)

NKU vs. University of Pikeville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or University of Pikeville? 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 Pikeville and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than University of Pikeville (37% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $3,800 more per year than University of Pikeville graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $35,900)
  • University of Pikeville students graduate with a $450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,500 vs. $24,950)
  • University of Pikeville graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($253 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Pikeville students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 39%)

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