Idaho vs. NKU

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

Idaho NKU
Location Moscow, ID Highland Heights, KY
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 11,507 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #585 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uidaho.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Idaho NKU
Tuition (In State) $6,182 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $25,418 $20,464
Room & Board $9,898 $11,248
Avg Net Price $14,954 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $11,105 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Idaho NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,393 6,905
Admitted 9,891 5,939
Acceptance Rate 73.9% 86%
Enrolled % 19.7% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 990/1250 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

Idaho NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Idaho NKU
Graduation Rate 51% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,900 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,279 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $251 $257

Diversity

Idaho NKU
% Men 49% 36%
% Women 51% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 82%
% Black 1% 7%
% Hispanic 10% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Idaho NKU
% In-State 57% 66%
% Out-of-State 32% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Idaho based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 11,507 students)

Idaho vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 65.1% more expensive to attend than Idaho for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $6,182.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.2% higher at Idaho than Northern Kentucky University ($25,418.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Idaho ($7,259 vs. $14,954)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 13.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,898 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Idaho as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 1.5% larger than aid received University of Idaho ($11,275 vs. $11,105)

Idaho vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 7 points higher than at Idaho (1061)
  • Incoming Idaho students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Idaho students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Idaho (73.9%)

Idaho vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Idaho 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 Idaho.

  • The graduation rate at Idaho is higher than Northern Kentucky University (51% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of Idaho earn on average $7,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($46,900 vs. $39,700)
  • University of Idaho students graduate with a $671 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,279 vs. $24,950)
  • Idaho graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($251 vs. $257)
  • More Idaho 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/