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Kentucky UW-La Crosse Wisconsin University of Toledo University of Phoenix-Madison Campus UWO UW-Eau Claire Eastern University of Wisconsin-Whitewater UW-Green Bay Murray State University UWSP| Northern Kentucky University | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | UWM | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Milwaukee, WI | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 22,481 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | #845 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | uwm.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | UWM | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $8,455 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $20,455 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $10,980 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $16,499 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $5,305 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 83% |
Admission |
NKU | UWM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | 16,662 | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | 14,736 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 88.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 22.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.16 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 19/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | |||
| 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 | Sep 1, 2025 |
Academics |
NKU | UWM | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | UWM | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 40% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $46,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 62% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $24,958 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $258 |
Diversity |
NKU | UWM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 8% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 12% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 9% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
NKU | UWM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 89% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 10% | ||
Campus |
NKU | UWM | ||
| 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
- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (22,481 students vs. 14,961 students)
NKU vs. UWM Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or UWM?
- Northern Kentucky University is 24.3% more expensive to attend than UWM for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $8,455.00)
- Out of state tuition is 3.1% higher at NKU than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($21,096.00 vs. $20,455.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than UWM ($8,151 vs. $16,499)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 6.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,980 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (98% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 116.6% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($11,492 vs. $5,305)
NKU vs. UWM Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or UWM? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UWM or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 18 points higher than at UWM (1050)
- Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at UWM (23)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UWM (3.16)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than UWM (88.4%)
NKU vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or UWM? 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 UWM and NKU.
- The graduation rate at UWM is higher than Northern Kentucky University (40% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn on average $6,400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $8 lower median federal student loan debt than UWM graduates. ($24,950 vs. $24,958)
- NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than UWM graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
- More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/