NKU vs. WKU

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

NKU WKU
Location Highland Heights, KY Bowling Green, KY
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,801 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU WKU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $27,000
Room & Board $11,248 $11,072
Avg Net Price $7,259 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

NKU WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 7,505
Admitted 5,939 7,276
Acceptance Rate 86% 96.9%
Enrolled % 27.6% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 980/1170
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

NKU WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

NKU WKU
Graduation Rate 37% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $257 $250

Diversity

NKU WKU
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 76%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU WKU
% In-State 66% 70%
% Out-of-State 26% 29%

Campus

NKU WKU
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

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or WKU?

  • Western Kentucky University is 8.9% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.9% higher at WKU than Northern Kentucky University ($27,000.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than WKU ($7,259 vs. $12,625)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,072 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 9.9% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($11,275 vs. $10,260)

NKU vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 21 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or WKU? 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 WKU and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at WKU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (50% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $2,600 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,100)
  • Western Kentucky University students graduate with a $700 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,950)
  • WKU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($250 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU 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/