NKU vs. University of Rio Grande

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

NKU University of Rio Grande
Location Highland Heights, KY Rio Grande, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Rural
Enrollment 14,961 2,168
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu rio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU University of Rio Grande
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $19,600
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $19,600
Room & Board $11,660 $10,500
Avg Net Price $8,151 $26,581
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $7,003
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 72%

Admission

NKU University of Rio Grande
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.06
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

Academics

NKU University of Rio Grande
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Engineering Technology (12%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

NKU University of Rio Grande
Graduation Rate 37% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $33,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 35%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $211

Diversity

NKU University of Rio Grande
% Men 10% 3%
% Women 24% 4%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 81%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

NKU University of Rio Grande
% In-State 71% 82%
% Out-of-State 28% 9%

Campus

NKU University of Rio Grande
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than University of Rio Grande based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,168 students)

NKU vs. University of Rio Grande Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or University of Rio Grande?

  • University of Rio Grande is 86.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($19,600.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.6% higher at NKU than University of Rio Grande ($21,096.00 vs. $19,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Rio Grande ($8,151 vs. $26,581)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rio Grande are 11% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,500 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Rio Grande (98% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 64.1% larger than aid received University of Rio Grande ($11,492 vs. $7,003)

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

  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Rio Grande (3.06)

NKU vs. University of Rio Grande Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or University of Rio Grande? 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 Rio Grande and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than University of Rio Grande (37% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $5,800 more per year than University of Rio Grande graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $33,900)
  • University of Rio Grande students graduate with a $4,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,950)
  • University of Rio Grande graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($211 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Rio Grande students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 35%)

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