Taylor University vs. NKU

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

Taylor University NKU
Location Upland, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,221 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #351 #805
Religious Affiliation Interdenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website taylor.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Taylor University NKU
Tuition (In State) $37,176 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $37,176 $20,464
Room & Board $11,058 $11,248
Avg Net Price $27,366 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $23,303 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Taylor University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,099 6,905
Admitted 1,566 5,939
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 86%
Enrolled % 33.3% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.87 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 19/25
SAT Range 1090/1310 1030/1290
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

Taylor University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Taylor University NKU
Graduation Rate 80% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,300 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $248 $257

Diversity

Taylor University NKU
% Men 46% 36%
% Women 54% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 86% 82%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Taylor University NKU
% In-State 46% 66%
% Out-of-State 50% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Taylor University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,221 students)

Taylor University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Taylor University or NKU?

  • Taylor University is 264.2% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($37,176.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 81.7% higher at Taylor University than Northern Kentucky University ($37,176.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Taylor University ($7,259 vs. $27,366)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Taylor University are 1.7% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,058 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Taylor University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Taylor University students is 106.7% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($23,303 vs. $11,275)

Taylor University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Taylor University (1191) is 123 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Taylor University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Taylor University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Taylor University (74.6%)

Taylor University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Taylor 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 Taylor University.

  • The graduation rate at Taylor University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (80% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Taylor University earn on average $1,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($41,300 vs. $39,700)
  • Taylor University students graduate with a $950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,950)
  • Taylor University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($248 vs. $257)
  • More Taylor University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 53%)

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