Trine University vs. NKU

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

Trine University NKU
Location Angola, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,088 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #772 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website trine.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Trine University NKU
Tuition (In State) $34,330 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $34,330 $20,464
Room & Board $11,920 $11,248
Avg Net Price $24,276 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $24,645 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

Trine University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,904 6,905
Admitted 3,587 5,939
Acceptance Rate 91.9% 86%
Enrolled % 18.2% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1240 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 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Trine University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (30%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Trine University NKU
Graduation Rate 44% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,150 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $260 $257

Diversity

Trine University NKU
% Men 51% 36%
% Women 49% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 82%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Trine University NKU
% In-State 55% 66%
% Out-of-State 44% 26%

Campus

Trine 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 Trine University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 4,088 students)

Trine University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trine University or NKU?

  • Trine University is 236.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($34,330.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.8% higher at Trine University than Northern Kentucky University ($34,330.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Trine University ($7,259 vs. $24,276)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 6% lower than costs at Trine University ($11,248 vs. $11,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Trine University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Trine University students is 118.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,645 vs. $11,275)

Trine University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Trine University (1089) is 21 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Trine University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Trine University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Trine University has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than NKU (86%)

Trine University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Trine 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 Trine University.

  • The graduation rate at Trine University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (44% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Trine University earn on average $6,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $200 lower median federal student loan debt than Trine University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,150)
  • NKU graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Trine University graduates. ($257 vs. $260)
  • More Trine 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/