Purdue North Central vs. NKU

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

Purdue North Central NKU
Location Westville, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,092 14,961
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pnc.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Purdue North Central NKU
Tuition (In State) $6,746 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $16,164 $21,096
Room & Board $7,380 $11,660
Avg Net Price $7,832 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $7,168 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 51% 98%

Admission

Purdue North Central NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,975 6,417
Admitted 1,485 6,162
Acceptance Rate 49.9% 96%
Enrolled % 27.6% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.19 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/23 19/25
SAT Range 950/1130 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

Purdue North Central NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Engineering Technology (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Purdue North Central NKU
Graduation Rate 17% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,900 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,836 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $256 $257

Diversity

Purdue North Central NKU
% Men 0% 10%
% Women 0% 24%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 82%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 9% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Purdue North Central NKU
% In-State - 71%
% Out-of-State - 28%

Campus

Purdue North Central NKU
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Purdue North Central based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 6,092 students)

Purdue North Central vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purdue North Central or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 55.8% more expensive to attend than Purdue North Central for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $6,746.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.5% higher at NKU than Purdue University North Central Campus ($21,096.00 vs. $16,164.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Purdue University North Central Campus than NKU ($7,832 vs. $8,151)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University North Central Campus are 58% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($7,380 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Purdue University North Central Campus (98% vs. 51%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 60.3% larger than aid received Purdue University North Central Campus ($11,492 vs. $7,168)

Purdue North Central vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 125 points higher than at Purdue North Central (943)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Purdue North Central (20)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Purdue North Central (3.19)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Purdue North Central (49.9%)

Purdue North Central vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Purdue North Central 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 Purdue North Central.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Purdue University North Central Campus (37% vs. 17%)
  • Graduates from Purdue University North Central Campus earn on average $2,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($41,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Purdue University North Central Campus students graduate with a $114 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,836 vs. $24,950)
  • Purdue North Central graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($256 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purdue North Central students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 48%)

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