NKU vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

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

NKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Location Highland Heights, KY Parkersburg, WV
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 14,961 2,584
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu wvup.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $4,320
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $9,024
Room & Board $11,660 $7,200
Avg Net Price $8,151 $3,536
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $6,637
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 89%

Admission

NKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg
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%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (40%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Science Technologies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

NKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Graduation Rate 37% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $31,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $12,031
Median Loan Payment $257 $124

Diversity

NKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
% Men 10% 13%
% Women 24% 21%
Racial Diversity Very Low Extremely Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 92%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
% In-State 71% 91%
% Out-of-State 28% 9%

Campus

NKU West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than West Virginia University at Parkersburg based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,584 students)

NKU vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or West Virginia University at Parkersburg?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 143.3% more expensive to attend than West Virginia University at Parkersburg for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $4,320.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 133.8% higher at NKU than West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($21,096.00 vs. $9,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University at Parkersburg than NKU ($3,536 vs. $8,151)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University at Parkersburg are 61.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($7,200 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (98% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 73.2% larger than aid received West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($11,492 vs. $6,637)

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

NKU vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (37% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $8,200 more per year than West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $31,500)
  • West Virginia University at Parkersburg students graduate with a $12,919 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($12,031 vs. $24,950)
  • West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates are paying $133 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($124 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University at Parkersburg students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)

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