NKU vs. Xavier

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

NKU Xavier
Location Highland Heights, KY Cincinnati, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 6,114
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #253
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu xavier.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Xavier
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $44,770
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $44,770
Room & Board $11,248 $13,820
Avg Net Price $7,259 $31,619
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $27,897
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Xavier
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 14,836
Admitted 5,939 12,542
Acceptance Rate 86% 84.5%
Enrolled % 27.6% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 23/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1120/1310
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 Xavier
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

NKU Xavier
Graduation Rate 37% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $54,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Xavier
% Men 36% 43%
% Women 64% 57%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 72%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

NKU Xavier
% In-State 66% 43%
% Out-of-State 26% 56%

Campus

NKU Xavier
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 Xavier based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 6,114 students)

NKU vs. Xavier Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Xavier?

  • Xavier University is 338.6% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($44,770.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 118.8% higher at Xavier than Northern Kentucky University ($44,770.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Xavier ($7,259 vs. $31,619)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 22.9% lower than costs at Xavier University ($11,248 vs. $13,820)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Xavier University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 147.4% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($27,897 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Xavier Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Xavier University (1111) is 43 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Xavier students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Xavier students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Xavier (84.5%)

NKU vs. Xavier Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Xavier is higher than Northern Kentucky University (77% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Xavier University earn on average $14,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($54,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Xavier graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Xavier graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 53%)

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