University of South Alabama vs. NKU

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

University of South Alabama NKU
Location Mobile, AL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 13,438 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama NKU
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $20,464
Room & Board $8,510 $11,248
Avg Net Price $15,664 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

University of South Alabama NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 6,905
Admitted 8,203 5,939
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 86%
Enrolled % 19.7% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 19/25
SAT Range 1003/1200 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama NKU
Graduation Rate 39% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $253 $257

Diversity

University of South Alabama NKU
% Men 32% 36%
% Women 68% 64%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 82%
% Black 24% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

University of South Alabama NKU
% In-State 73% 66%
% Out-of-State 25% 26%

Campus

University of South Alabama 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 South Alabama based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 13,438 students)

University of South Alabama vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 18.5% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.8% higher at NKU than University of South Alabama ($20,464.00 vs. $17,232.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of South Alabama ($7,259 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 32.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,510 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of South Alabama (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 46.7% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($11,275 vs. $7,686)

University of South Alabama vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 23 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

University of South Alabama vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama 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 South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than Northern Kentucky University (39% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $5,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $39,700)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,500 vs. $24,950)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($253 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/