SIUE vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than SIUE based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 11,893 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

SIUE vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or NKU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than SIUE ($9,211 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 12.3% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,712 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $1,834 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.6% higher at NKU than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $8,990 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($11,602 vs. $10,332).

SIUE vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or NKU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NKU and SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 20 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at NKU (3.42).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 36.8% at NKU.

SIUE vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and NKU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $3,520 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($21,430 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($221 vs. $257).
• More SIUE 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.