Oakland City University vs. NKU

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

Oakland City University NKU
Location Oakland City, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 650 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website oak.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Oakland City University NKU
Tuition (In State) $27,150 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $27,150 $21,096
Room & Board $10,610 $11,660
Avg Net Price $12,268 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $27,244 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 98%

Admission

Oakland City University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 626 6,417
Admitted 427 6,162
Acceptance Rate 68.2% 96%
Enrolled % 29.5% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 19/25
SAT Range 850/1150 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Oakland City University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (23%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Agriculture (4%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Oakland City University NKU
Graduation Rate 64% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,400 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,200 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $208 $257

Diversity

Oakland City University NKU
% Men 9% 10%
% Women 10% 24%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 82%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 14% 1%

Students

Oakland City University NKU
% In-State 64% 71%
% Out-of-State 20% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Oakland City University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 650 students)

Oakland City University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland City University or NKU?

  • Oakland City University is 158.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($27,150.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.7% higher at Oakland City University than Northern Kentucky University ($27,150.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Oakland City University ($8,151 vs. $12,268)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland City University are 9.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,610 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Oakland City University (98% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland City University students is 137.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($27,244 vs. $11,492)

Oakland City University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 143 points higher than at Oakland City University (925)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Oakland City University (20)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Oakland City University (3.29)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Oakland City University (68.2%)

Oakland City University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Oakland City University or NKU? 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 NKU and Oakland City University.

  • The graduation rate at Oakland City University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (64% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $3,300 more per year than Oakland City University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $36,400)
  • Oakland City University students graduate with a $4,750 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,200 vs. $24,950)
  • Oakland City University graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($208 vs. $257)
  • More Oakland City University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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