University of St Francis vs. NKU

Deciding between University of St Francis 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.

University of St Francis
Northern Kentucky University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of St Francis Joliet, IL
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Setting
  • University of St Francis Midsize City
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of St Francis 3,074
  • NKU 15,347
  • Type
  • University of St Francis Private 4 Year
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of St Francis #355
  • NKU #854
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of St Francis Roman Catholic
  • NKU -
  • Status
  • University of St Francis Non-profit
  • NKU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of St Francis
  • NKU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • NKU $11,088
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • NKU $21,912
  • Room & Board
  • University of St Francis $11,980
  • NKU $12,712
  • Average Net Price
  • University of St Francis $14,045
  • NKU $9,211
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of St Francis $31,998
  • NKU $10,332
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of St Francis 100%
  • NKU 98%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of St Francis 2,250
  • NKU 6,058
  • Admitted
  • University of St Francis 1,469
  • NKU 4,098
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of St Francis 65.3%
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of St Francis 14.2%
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of St Francis 1130
  • NKU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of St Francis 26
  • NKU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of St Francis 3.47
  • NKU 3.42
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of St Francis B+
  • NKU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of St Francis Challenging
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of St Francis Low
  • NKU Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of St Francis 20/32
  • NKU 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of St Francis 1030/1220
  • NKU 953/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of St Francis Test optional
  • NKU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of St Francis 15:1
  • NKU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of St Francis
    • Health Professions (41%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of St Francis 27%
  • NKU 37%
  • % Women
  • University of St Francis 73%
  • NKU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of St Francis Medium
  • NKU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of St Francis No
  • NKU No
  • % White
  • University of St Francis 67%
  • NKU 82%
  • % Asian
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • NKU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of St Francis 8%
  • NKU 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of St Francis 16%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of St Francis 3%
  • NKU 2%
  • % International
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of St Francis 1%
  • NKU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of St Francis 91%
  • NKU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of St Francis 9%
  • NKU 29%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of St Francis in Joliet, IL 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 St Francis based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 3,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of St Francis is located in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of St Francis 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 St Francis 15:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

University of St Francis vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St 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 St Francis ($9,211 vs. $14,045).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Francis are 5.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,980 vs. $12,712).
  • University of St Francis is 243.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $27,022 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $11,088.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 73.9% higher at University of St Francis than at Northern Kentucky University (about $16,198 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $21,912.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 209.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($31,998 vs. $10,332).

University of St Francis vs. NKU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Francis (1130) is 80 points higher than at NKU (1050).
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at NKU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 1030/1220; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 20/32; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of St Francis - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • 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 (67.6%) than University of St Francis (65.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at University of St Francis vs. 36.8% at NKU.

University of St Francis vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of St 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 St Francis's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
  • Graduates from University of St Francis earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $50 lower median loan debt than University of St Francis graduates ($24,950 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.