University of Southern Indiana vs. NKU

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

University of Southern Indiana NKU
Location Evansville, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Midsize Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,178 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #881 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usi.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Southern Indiana NKU
Tuition (In State) $9,095 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $21,140 $20,464
Room & Board $10,058 $11,248
Avg Net Price $14,443 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $7,927 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

University of Southern Indiana NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,277 6,905
Admitted 4,039 5,939
Acceptance Rate 94.4% 86%
Enrolled % 31% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/26 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1240 1030/1290
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

University of Southern Indiana NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (28%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

University of Southern Indiana NKU
Graduation Rate 34% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,800 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $232 $257

Diversity

University of Southern Indiana NKU
% Men 37% 36%
% Women 63% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 82%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

University of Southern Indiana NKU
% In-State 84% 66%
% Out-of-State 15% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than University of Southern Indiana based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 9,178 students)

University of Southern Indiana vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Indiana or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 12.2% more expensive to attend than University of Southern Indiana for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $9,095.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.3% higher at University of Southern Indiana than Northern Kentucky University ($21,140.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Southern Indiana ($7,259 vs. $14,443)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Indiana are 11.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,058 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Southern Indiana (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 42.2% larger than aid received University of Southern Indiana ($11,275 vs. $7,927)

University of Southern Indiana vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 66 points higher than at University of Southern Indiana (1002)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Southern Indiana (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Indiana students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • University of Southern Indiana has a higher acceptance rate (94.4%) than NKU (86%)

University of Southern Indiana vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Southern Indiana 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 Southern Indiana.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than University of Southern Indiana (37% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $900 more per year than University of Southern Indiana graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $38,800)
  • University of Southern Indiana students graduate with a $2,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,950)
  • University of Southern Indiana graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($232 vs. $257)
  • More University of Southern Indiana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)

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