Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
ECSU Kentucky University of Toledo SCSU Eastern CCSU Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville| Western Connecticut State University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WestConn | NKU | ||
| Location | Danbury, CT | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 4,137 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #506 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcsu.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WestConn | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,664 | $10,512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,996 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,131 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,527 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,943 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 63% | 98% |
Admission |
WestConn | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,457 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 4,440 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 81.4% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 16% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.38 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/27 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 840/1150 | 916/1133 | ||
| 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, 2026 |
Academics |
WestConn | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 18:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
WestConn | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 40% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,400 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 65% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $257 |
Diversity |
WestConn | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 10% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 61% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 12% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 18% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 2% | ||
| % International | 0% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 1% |
Students |
WestConn | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 28% | ||
Campus |
WestConn | 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 WestConn based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 4,137 students)
WestConn vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WestConn or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 57.7% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $6,664.00)
- Out of state tuition is 111% higher at NKU than Western Connecticut State University ($21,096.00 vs. $9,996.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than WestConn ($8,151 vs. $16,527)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 29.8% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($11,660 vs. $15,131)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Western Connecticut State University (98% vs. 63%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 44.7% larger than aid received Western Connecticut State University ($11,492 vs. $7,943)
WestConn vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or WestConn .
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at WestConn (3.38)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than WestConn (81.4%)
WestConn vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WestConn 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 WestConn.
- The graduation rate at WestConn is higher than Northern Kentucky University (40% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $7,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than WestConn graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than WestConn graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
- More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/