NKU vs. Urbana University

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

NKU Urbana University
Location Highland Heights, KY Urbana, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 587
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu urbana.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Urbana University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $23,700
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $23,700
Room & Board $11,660 $9,998
Avg Net Price $8,151 -
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 0%

Admission

NKU Urbana University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.14
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 Urbana University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Urbana University
Graduation Rate 37% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $274

Diversity

NKU Urbana University
% Men 10% 57%
% Women 24% 43%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 57%
% Black 7% 24%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

NKU Urbana University
% In-State 71% 82%
% Out-of-State 28% 16%

Campus

NKU Urbana University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
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 Urbana University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 587 students)

NKU vs. Urbana University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Urbana University?

  • Urbana University is 125.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($23,700.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at Urbana University than Northern Kentucky University ($23,700.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Urbana University are 16.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,998 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Urbana University (98% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is ?% larger than aid received Urbana University ($11,492 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 103 points higher than at Urbana University (965)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Urbana University (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Urbana University (3.14)

NKU vs. Urbana University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Urbana University? 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 Urbana University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Urbana University (37% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $700 more per year than Urbana University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $39,000)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,550 lower median federal student loan debt than Urbana University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,500)
  • NKU graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Urbana University graduates. ($257 vs. $274)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Urbana University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

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