Saint Xavier University vs. NKU

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

Saint Xavier University NKU
Location Chicago, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,457 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #724 #912
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sxu.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Saint Xavier University NKU
Tuition (In State) $35,680 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $35,680 $21,096
Room & Board $12,480 $11,660
Avg Net Price $11,943 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $30,290 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Saint Xavier University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,216 6,417
Admitted 6,188 6,162
Acceptance Rate 85.8% 96%
Enrolled % 12.3% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 950/1120 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, 2025

Academics

Saint Xavier University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Saint Xavier University NKU
Graduation Rate 52% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $248 $257

Diversity

Saint Xavier University NKU
% Men 3% 10%
% Women 9% 24%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 82%
% Black 14% 7%
% Hispanic 32% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Saint Xavier University NKU
% In-State 96% 71%
% Out-of-State 4% 28%

Campus

Saint Xavier 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 Saint Xavier University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 3,457 students)

Saint Xavier University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Xavier University or NKU?

  • Saint Xavier University is 239.4% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($35,680.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 69.1% higher at Saint Xavier University than Northern Kentucky University ($35,680.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Saint Xavier University ($8,151 vs. $11,943)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 7% lower than costs at Saint Xavier University ($11,660 vs. $12,480)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saint Xavier University than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Xavier University students is 163.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($30,290 vs. $11,492)

Saint Xavier University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 78 points higher than at Saint Xavier University (990)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Saint Xavier University (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Saint Xavier University (3.4)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Saint Xavier University (85.8%)

Saint Xavier University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Saint Xavier 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 Saint Xavier University.

  • The graduation rate at Saint Xavier University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (52% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Saint Xavier University earn on average $9,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Saint Xavier University students graduate with a $928 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,022 vs. $24,950)
  • Saint Xavier University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($248 vs. $257)
  • More Saint Xavier University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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