University of Indianapolis vs. NKU

Deciding between University of Indianapolis and Northern Kentucky University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Indianapolis
Northern Kentucky University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Setting
  • University of Indianapolis Large City
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Indianapolis 5,000
  • NKU 15,347
  • Type
  • University of Indianapolis Private 4 Year
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Indianapolis #617
  • NKU #854
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Indianapolis United Methodist
  • NKU -
  • Status
  • University of Indianapolis Non-profit
  • NKU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Indianapolis
  • NKU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Indianapolis $37,200
  • NKU $11,088
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Indianapolis $37,200
  • NKU $21,912
  • Room & Board
  • University of Indianapolis $15,542
  • NKU $12,712
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Indianapolis $22,662
  • NKU $9,211
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Indianapolis $29,818
  • NKU $10,332
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Indianapolis 100%
  • NKU 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Indianapolis 10,891
  • NKU 6,058
  • Admitted
  • University of Indianapolis 7,242
  • NKU 4,098
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Indianapolis 66.5%
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Indianapolis 10.6%
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Indianapolis 1070
  • NKU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Indianapolis 21
  • NKU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Indianapolis 3.31
  • NKU 3.42
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Indianapolis B+
  • NKU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Indianapolis Easy
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Indianapolis Low
  • NKU Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Indianapolis 18/25
  • NKU 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of Indianapolis 960/1170
  • NKU 953/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Indianapolis Test-free
  • NKU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Indianapolis
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Indianapolis 12:1
  • NKU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Indianapolis
    • Business (27%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Indianapolis 52%
  • NKU 37%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Indianapolis $43,800
  • NKU $39,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Indianapolis 51%
  • NKU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Indianapolis $27,000
  • NKU $24,950
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Indianapolis $279
  • NKU $257
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Indianapolis 35%
  • NKU 37%
  • % Women
  • University of Indianapolis 65%
  • NKU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Indianapolis Medium
  • NKU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Indianapolis No
  • NKU No
  • % White
  • University of Indianapolis 70%
  • NKU 82%
  • % Asian
  • University of Indianapolis 1%
  • NKU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Indianapolis 9%
  • NKU 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Indianapolis 4%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of Indianapolis 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Indianapolis 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Indianapolis 3%
  • NKU 2%
  • % International
  • University of Indianapolis 9%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Indianapolis 3%
  • NKU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Indianapolis 78%
  • NKU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Indianapolis 18%
  • NKU 29%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Indianapolis Yes
  • NKU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Indianapolis No
  • NKU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Indianapolis Yes
  • NKU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Indianapolis No
  • NKU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Indianapolis No
  • NKU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN 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 University of Indianapolis based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 5,000 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Indianapolis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Indianapolis 12:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

University of Indianapolis vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Indianapolis 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 University of Indianapolis ($9,211 vs. $22,662).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 18.2% lower than at University of Indianapolis ($12,712 vs. $15,542).
  • University of Indianapolis is 235.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $26,112 more per year; $37,200.00 vs. $11,088.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 69.8% higher at University of Indianapolis than at Northern Kentucky University (about $15,288 more per year; $37,200.00 vs. $21,912.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Indianapolis than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Indianapolis students is 188.6% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($29,818 vs. $10,332).

University of Indianapolis vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Indianapolis 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 University of Indianapolis.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Indianapolis (1070) is 20 points higher than at NKU (1050).
  • Incoming University of Indianapolis students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NKU (21).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Indianapolis 960/1170; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Indianapolis 18/25; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Indianapolis - Test-free; NKU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Indianapolis (3.31).
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (67.6%) than University of Indianapolis (66.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.6% at University of Indianapolis vs. 36.8% at NKU.

University of Indianapolis vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Indianapolis 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).

  • University of Indianapolis's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
  • Graduates from University of Indianapolis earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than University of Indianapolis graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Indianapolis graduates ($257 vs. $279).
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Indianapolis students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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.