Louisville vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Louisville vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville ($9,211 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 1.1% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,576 vs. $12,712).
• University of Louisville is 18.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $2,048 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at Louisville than at Northern Kentucky University (about $7,570 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville as at Northern Kentucky University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($14,677 vs. $10,332).

Louisville vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 110 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Louisville 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: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at NKU (3.42).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Louisville vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 Louisville's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $5,294 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($19,656 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($203 vs. $257).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.