University of Saint Francis vs. NKU

Deciding between University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 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.

Northern Kentucky University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne, IN
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Setting
  • University of Saint Francis Large City
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Saint Francis 1,763
  • NKU 15,347
  • Type
  • University of Saint Francis Private 4 Year
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Saint Francis #676
  • NKU #854
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Saint Francis Roman Catholic
  • NKU -
  • Status
  • University of Saint Francis Non-profit
  • NKU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Saint Francis
  • NKU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Saint Francis $36,460
  • NKU $11,088
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Saint Francis $36,460
  • NKU $21,912
  • Room & Board
  • University of Saint Francis $11,872
  • NKU $12,712
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Saint Francis $18,654
  • NKU $9,211
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Saint Francis $28,063
  • NKU $10,332
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Saint Francis 100%
  • NKU 98%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Saint Francis 2,008
  • NKU 6,058
  • Admitted
  • University of Saint Francis 1,927
  • NKU 4,098
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Saint Francis 96%
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Saint Francis 21.5%
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Saint Francis 970
  • NKU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Saint Francis 20
  • NKU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Saint Francis 3.37
  • NKU 3.42
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Saint Francis B+
  • NKU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Saint Francis Extremely Easy
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Saint Francis
  • NKU Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Saint Francis 17/24
  • NKU 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of Saint Francis 870/1070
  • NKU 953/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Saint Francis Test optional
  • NKU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Saint Francis
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Saint Francis 11:1
  • NKU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Saint Francis
    • Health Professions (59%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Business (5%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Saint Francis 32%
  • NKU 37%
  • % Women
  • University of Saint Francis 68%
  • NKU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Saint Francis Low
  • NKU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Saint Francis No
  • NKU No
  • % White
  • University of Saint Francis 81%
  • NKU 82%
  • % Asian
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • NKU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Saint Francis 7%
  • NKU 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Saint Francis 6%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of Saint Francis 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Saint Francis 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Saint Francis 2%
  • NKU 2%
  • % International
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • NKU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Saint Francis 87%
  • NKU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Saint Francis 8%
  • NKU 29%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, 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 Saint Francis based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 1,763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 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 Saint Francis Fort Wayne 11:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

University of Saint Francis vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis ($9,211 vs. $18,654).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne are 6.6% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,872 vs. $12,712).
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is 228.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $25,372 more per year; $36,460.00 vs. $11,088.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at University of Saint Francis than at Northern Kentucky University (about $14,548 more per year; $36,460.00 vs. $21,912.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students is 171.6% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($28,063 vs. $10,332).

University of Saint Francis vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 80 points higher than at University of Saint Francis (970).
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at University of Saint Francis).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 870/1070; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 17/24; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Saint Francis - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • 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 (96%) than NKU (67.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.5% at University of Saint Francis vs. 36.8% at NKU.

University of Saint Francis vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis Fort Wayne's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
  • Graduates from University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $300 lower median loan debt than University of Saint Francis graduates ($24,950 vs. $25,250).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.