Rockford University vs. NKU

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

Rockford University NKU
Location Rockford, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,249 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rockford.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rockford University NKU
Tuition (In State) $36,800 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $36,800 $21,096
Room & Board $10,940 $11,660
Avg Net Price $24,098 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $22,903 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Rockford University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,979 6,417
Admitted 1,705 6,162
Acceptance Rate 57.2% 96%
Enrolled % 11.2% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 19/25
SAT Range 850/1070 916/1133
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

Rockford University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Rockford University NKU
Graduation Rate 31% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $258 $257

Diversity

Rockford University NKU
% Men 8% 10%
% Women 14% 24%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 82%
% Black 9% 7%
% Hispanic 14% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

Rockford University NKU
% In-State 64% 71%
% Out-of-State 29% 28%

Campus

Rockford 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 Rockford University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,249 students)

Rockford University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rockford University or NKU?

  • Rockford University is 250.1% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($36,800.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.4% higher at Rockford University than Northern Kentucky University ($36,800.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Rockford University ($8,151 vs. $24,098)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockford University are 6.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,940 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rockford University than Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 99.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($22,903 vs. $11,492)

Rockford University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 61 points higher than at Rockford University (1007)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Rockford University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Rockford University (3.25)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Rockford University (57.2%)

Rockford University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rockford 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 Rockford University.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Rockford University (37% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Rockford University earn on average $4,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Rockford University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Rockford University graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More Rockford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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