University of St Francis vs. NKU

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

University of St Francis NKU
Location Joliet, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,297 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #339 #805
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website stfrancis.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of St Francis NKU
Tuition (In State) $36,000 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $36,000 $20,464
Room & Board $11,430 $11,248
Avg Net Price $18,560 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $25,392 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

University of St Francis NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,198 6,905
Admitted 1,284 5,939
Acceptance Rate 58.4% 86%
Enrolled % 16.8% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/30 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 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

University of St Francis NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

University of St Francis NKU
Graduation Rate 63% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,600 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $258 $257

Diversity

University of St Francis NKU
% Men 26% 36%
% Women 74% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 82%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 16% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of St Francis NKU
% In-State 93% 66%
% Out-of-State 4% 26%

Campus

University of St 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 St Francis based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,297 students)

University of St Francis vs. NKU Cost Comparison

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

  • University of St Francis is 252.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75.9% higher at University of St Francis than Northern Kentucky University ($36,000.00 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 St Francis ($7,259 vs. $18,560)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 1.6% lower than costs at University of St Francis ($11,248 vs. $11,430)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of St Francis as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 125.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($25,392 vs. $11,275)

University of St Francis vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of St Francis (1069) is 1 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than University of St Francis (58.4%)

University of St Francis vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of St 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 St Francis.

  • The graduation rate at University of St Francis is higher than Northern Kentucky University (63% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn on average $10,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than University of St Francis graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than University of St Francis graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More University of St Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

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