University of Saint Francis vs. NKU

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

 University of Saint Francis NKU
Location Fort Wayne, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,852 14,961
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #672 #912
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sf.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Saint Francis NKU
Tuition (In State) $34,190 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $34,190 $21,096
Room & Board $11,540 $11,660
Avg Net Price $20,897 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $24,444 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

 University of Saint Francis NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,560 6,417
Admitted 1,522 6,162
Acceptance Rate 97.6% 96%
Enrolled % 29% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 19/25
SAT Range 920/1130 916/1133
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

 University of Saint Francis NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (59%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 University of Saint Francis NKU
Graduation Rate 54% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,250 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $261 $257

Diversity

 University of Saint Francis NKU
% Men 4% 10%
% Women 10% 24%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 82%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 University of Saint Francis NKU
% In-State 91% 71%
% Out-of-State 7% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than University of Saint Francis based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,852 students)

University of Saint Francis vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Saint Francis or NKU?

  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is 225.2% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($34,190.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.1% higher at University of Saint Francis than Northern Kentucky University ($34,190.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Saint Francis ($8,151 vs. $20,897)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne are 1% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,540 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne than Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students is 112.7% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,444 vs. $11,492)

University of Saint Francis vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 94 points higher than at University of Saint Francis (974)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Saint Francis (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Saint Francis (3.37)
  • University of Saint Francis has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than NKU (96%)

University of Saint Francis vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Saint Francis 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 University of Saint Francis.

  • The graduation rate at University of Saint Francis is higher than Northern Kentucky University (54% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn on average $2,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $300 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Saint Francis graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,250)
  • NKU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than University of Saint Francis graduates. ($257 vs. $261)
  • More University of Saint Francis 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/