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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State| Northern Kentucky University | Watkins College of Art Design & Film | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
NKU | Watkins Institute | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Nashville, TN | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 193 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | watkins.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Watkins Institute | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $22,800 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $22,800 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $11,000 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 0% |
Admission |
NKU | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | - | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | |||
| Enrolled % | 21% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.33 | ||
| 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 | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 7:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
NKU | Watkins Institute | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $38,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 47% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $279 |
Diversity |
NKU | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 69% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 15% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
NKU | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 72% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 24% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Watkins Institute | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Watkins Institute based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 193 students)
NKU vs. Watkins Institute Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Watkins Institute?
- Watkins College of Art Design & Film is 116.9% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($22,800.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 8.1% higher at Watkins Institute than Northern Kentucky University ($22,800.00 vs. $21,096.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Watkins College of Art Design & Film are 6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,000 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (98% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is ?% larger than aid received Watkins College of Art Design & Film ($11,492 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Watkins Institute? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Watkins Institute or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 65 points higher than at Watkins Institute (1003)
- Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Watkins Institute (21)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Watkins Institute (3.33)
NKU vs. Watkins Institute Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Watkins Institute? 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 Watkins Institute and NKU.
- The graduation rate at NKU is the same as at Watkins College of Art Design & Film (37% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Watkins Institute graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $38,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Watkins Institute graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Watkins Institute graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Watkins Institute students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/