Oakwood University vs. NKU

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

Oakwood University NKU
Location Huntsville, AL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,319 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation Seventh Day Adventists - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website oakwood.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Oakwood University NKU
Tuition (In State) $20,722 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $20,722 $21,096
Room & Board $9,384 $11,660
Avg Net Price $22,833 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $15,780 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

Oakwood University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,370 6,417
Admitted 1,197 6,162
Acceptance Rate 50.5% 96%
Enrolled % 24.2% 21%
Avg High School GPA 2.99 3.42
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 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 15, 2026

Academics

Oakwood University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (21%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Oakwood University NKU
Graduation Rate 35% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 27% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $320 $257

Diversity

Oakwood University NKU
% Men 1% 10%
% Women 2% 24%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 82%
% Black 84% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Oakwood University NKU
% In-State 14% 71%
% Out-of-State 64% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Oakwood University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,319 students)

Oakwood University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakwood University or NKU?

  • Oakwood University is 97.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($20,722.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.8% higher at NKU than Oakwood University ($21,096.00 vs. $20,722.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Oakwood University ($8,151 vs. $22,833)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakwood University are 24.3% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,384 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Oakwood University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oakwood University students is 37.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($15,780 vs. $11,492)

Oakwood University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 145 points higher than at Oakwood University (923)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Oakwood University (20)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Oakwood University (2.99)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Oakwood University (50.5%)

Oakwood University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Oakwood 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 Oakwood University.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Oakwood University (37% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Oakwood University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,400)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $6,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Oakwood University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $31,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Oakwood University graduates. ($257 vs. $320)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakwood University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 27%)

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