NKU vs. W&J

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

NKU W&J
Location Highland Heights, KY Washington, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 1,151
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #264
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu washjeff.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU W&J
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $49,612
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $49,612
Room & Board $11,248 $13,524
Avg Net Price $7,259 $25,636
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $38,963
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU W&J
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 3,414
Admitted 5,939 3,007
Acceptance Rate 86% 88.1%
Enrolled % 27.6% 11.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/28
SAT Range 1030/1290 1010/1250
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

Academics

NKU W&J
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

NKU W&J
Graduation Rate 37% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $56,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU W&J
% Men 36% 52%
% Women 64% 48%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 81%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU W&J
% In-State 66% 72%
% Out-of-State 26% 28%

Campus

NKU W&J
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 W&J based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,151 students)

NKU vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or W&J?

  • Washington & Jefferson College is 386% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($49,612.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 142.4% higher at W&J than Northern Kentucky University ($49,612.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than W&J ($7,259 vs. $25,636)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 20.2% lower than costs at Washington & Jefferson College ($11,248 vs. $13,524)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Washington & Jefferson College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 245.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($38,963 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. W&J Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • W&J has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or W&J? 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 W&J and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at W&J is higher than Northern Kentucky University (74% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn on average $17,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than W&J graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than W&J graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 53%)

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