NKU vs. Wheeling University

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

NKU Wheeling University
Location Highland Heights, KY Wheeling, WV
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 14,961 748
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu wju.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Wheeling University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $29,090
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $29,090
Room & Board $11,660 $12,420
Avg Net Price $8,151 $19,164
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $22,319
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 79%

Admission

NKU Wheeling University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 2,103
Admitted 6,162 1,581
Acceptance Rate 96% 75.2%
Enrolled % 21% 10.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 17/23
SAT Range 916/1133 950/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU Wheeling University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (5%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

NKU Wheeling University
Graduation Rate 37% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $48,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Wheeling University
% Men 10% 11%
% Women 24% 10%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 75%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

NKU Wheeling University
% In-State 71% 12%
% Out-of-State 28% 68%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Wheeling University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 748 students)

NKU vs. Wheeling University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Wheeling University?

  • Wheeling University is 176.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($29,090.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.9% higher at Wheeling University than Northern Kentucky University ($29,090.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Wheeling University ($8,151 vs. $19,164)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 6.5% lower than costs at Wheeling University ($11,660 vs. $12,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Wheeling University (98% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wheeling University students is 94.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($22,319 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Wheeling University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 36 points higher than at Wheeling University (1032)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Wheeling University (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Wheeling University (3.33)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Wheeling University (75.2%)

NKU vs. Wheeling University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Wheeling 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 Wheeling University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Wheeling University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (62% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Wheeling University earn on average $8,400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($48,100 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Wheeling University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Wheeling University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Wheeling University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 53%)

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