NKU Comparisons

4/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Highland Heights, KY
0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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Curious how Northern Kentucky University stacks up against other colleges? Compare NKU to any three other US colleges using the College Simply compare tool, or compare with some of the pre-selected schools below.

Frequently Compared

These similar colleges are most often compared with Northern Kentucky University by students and parents using CollegeSimply.

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and University of Toledo

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Compare University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare Murray State University and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Bowling Green State University Main Campus

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Compare Ball State University and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Xavier University

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Compare Morehead State University and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and McNeese State University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Kent State University at Kent

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and University of Missouri St Louis

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Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Ohio University Main Campus

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Compare University of Louisville and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Cleveland State University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Middle Tennessee State University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Ohio Northern University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and West Virginia University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Southeast Missouri State University

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and University of Memphis

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Compare Northern Kentucky University and Grand Valley State University

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Compare University of Idaho and Northern Kentucky University

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Compare with Kentucky Public Colleges

Compare with Kentucky Public Colleges for Northern Kentucky University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
University of Kentucky Lexington, KY	$2,414 higher in-state tuition	25% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Louisville Louisville, KY	$2,048 higher in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY	$1,701 lower in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY	$564 higher in-state tuition	26% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Murray State University Murray, KY	$1,188 lower in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Morehead State University Morehead, KY	$1,064 lower in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY	$768 lower in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Kentucky Private Colleges

Compare with Kentucky Private Colleges for Northern Kentucky University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Georgetown College Georgetown, KY	$31,752 higher in-state tuition	23% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KY	$19,858 higher in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY	$23,585 higher in-state tuition	4% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Spalding University Louisville, KY	$18,112 higher in-state tuition	31% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Midway University Midway, KY	$16,132 higher in-state tuition	27% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY	$1,213 lower in-state tuition	31% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Brescia University Owensboro, KY	$20,462 higher in-state tuition	33% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Kentucky Christian University Grayson, KY	$15,537 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Kentucky Mountain Bible College Jackson, KY	$728 lower in-state tuition	32% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Regional Public Colleges

Compare with Regional Public Colleges for Northern Kentucky University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI	$4,052 higher in-state tuition	15% higher acceptance rate	Compare
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	$984 lower in-state tuition	21% higher acceptance rate	Compare
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	$4,275 lower in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Illinois State University Normal, IL	$5,056 higher in-state tuition	20% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI	$3,672 higher in-state tuition	22% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Radford University Radford, VA	$1,460 higher in-state tuition	22% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI	$4,164 higher in-state tuition	17% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	$2,160 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC	$4,962 lower in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL	$2,246 higher in-state tuition	19% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, GA	$6,556 lower in-state tuition	27% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Alabama A & M University Normal, AL	$1,064 lower in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI	$5,152 higher in-state tuition	12% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Bowling Green State University Main Campus Bowling Green, OH	$3,372 higher in-state tuition	13% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Tennessee State University Nashville, TN	$2,472 lower in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI	$3,690 higher in-state tuition	23% higher acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN	$640 lower in-state tuition	13% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	$1,295 higher in-state tuition	7% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC	$3,590 higher in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH	$1,900 higher in-state tuition	23% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN	$2,082 lower in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA	$520 lower in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH	$2,047 higher in-state tuition	8% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL	$1,834 higher in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD	$868 lower in-state tuition	21% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Marshall University Huntington, WV	$1,926 lower in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Western Illinois University Macomb, IL	$4,176 higher in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN	$616 lower in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN	$1,556 lower in-state tuition	16% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI	$1,842 higher in-state tuition	4% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL	$2,591 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL	$1,164 higher in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of South Carolina Upstate Spartanburg, SC	$500 higher in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University South Bend South Bend, IN	$2,664 lower in-state tuition	16% higher acceptance rate	Compare
West Virginia State University Institute, WV	$1,518 lower in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, VA	$692 higher in-state tuition	39% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Northwest Gary, IN	$2,664 lower in-state tuition	5% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus Indiana, PA	$292 higher in-state tuition	23% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO	$1,185 lower in-state tuition	6% higher acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Tennessee Martin Martin, TN	$528 lower in-state tuition	20% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Concord University Athens, WV	$424 lower in-state tuition	25% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Johnstown, PA	$3,818 higher in-state tuition	27% higher acceptance rate	Compare
West Liberty University West Liberty, WV	$2,195 lower in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Southeast New Albany, IN	$2,664 lower in-state tuition	16% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University East Richmond, IN	$2,664 lower in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo, IN	$2,664 lower in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV	$2,380 lower in-state tuition	31% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV	$440 lower in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Penn State DuBois DuBois, PA	$3,320 higher in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Regional Private Colleges

Compare with Regional Private Colleges for Northern Kentucky University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC	$8,412 higher in-state tuition	7% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Lewis University Romeoville, IL	$28,112 higher in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Gardner Webb University Boiling Springs, NC	$23,672 higher in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Aurora University Aurora, IL	$18,082 higher in-state tuition	13% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	$26,112 higher in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Reinhardt University Waleska, GA	$18,986 higher in-state tuition	6% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Carthage College Kenosha, WI	$27,662 higher in-state tuition	19% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Greensboro College Greensboro, NC	$9,912 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Ferrum College Ferrum, VA	$17,432 higher in-state tuition	21% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Adrian College Adrian, MI	$30,596 higher in-state tuition	5% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Anderson University Anderson, IN	$26,152 higher in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana Wesleyan University Marion Marion, IN	$21,264 higher in-state tuition	21% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Brevard College Brevard, NC	$21,192 higher in-state tuition	26% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Dominican University River Forest, IL	$27,890 higher in-state tuition	22% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Capital University Columbus, OH	$32,146 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Presbyterian College Clinton, SC	$33,822 higher in-state tuition	0% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Roosevelt University Chicago, IL	$10,227 higher in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Averett University Danville, VA	$27,462 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Albion College Albion, MI	$45,862 higher in-state tuition	13% higher acceptance rate	Compare
North Park University Chicago, IL	$25,622 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Millikin University Decatur, IL	$15,804 higher in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC	$23,982 higher in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Maryville College Maryville, TN	$28,196 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Charlotte, NC	$31,331 higher in-state tuition	12% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Young Harris College Young Harris, GA	$21,217 higher in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Montreat College Montreat, NC	$25,362 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Mary Baldwin University Staunton, VA	$23,064 higher in-state tuition	32% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Charleston Charleston, WV	$22,712 higher in-state tuition	6% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Limestone University Gaffney, SC	$16,712 higher in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Bethel University Mishawaka, IN	$23,512 higher in-state tuition	30% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN	$25,372 higher in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Emory & Henry University Emory, VA	$27,912 higher in-state tuition	16% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Goshen College Goshen, IN	$27,802 higher in-state tuition	16% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Carson Newman University Jefferson City, TN	$23,612 higher in-state tuition	22% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Shorter University Rome, GA	$13,542 higher in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Marietta College Marietta, OH	$28,564 higher in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Johnson University Knoxville, TN	$10,034 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Ashland University Ashland, OH	$20,122 higher in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Madonna University Livonia, MI	$17,352 higher in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Bethel University McKenzie, TN	$7,624 higher in-state tuition	8% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of St Francis Joliet, IL	$27,022 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Northwood University Midland, MI	$23,312 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Truett McConnell University Cleveland, GA	$15,704 higher in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Heidelberg University Tiffin, OH	$22,562 higher in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Muskingum University New Concord, OH	$21,577 higher in-state tuition	14% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL	$26,852 higher in-state tuition	16% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Eureka College Eureka, IL	$18,008 higher in-state tuition	17% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Illinois College Jacksonville, IL	$27,588 higher in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Siena Heights University Adrian, MI	$19,690 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with National Colleges

Compare with National Colleges for Northern Kentucky University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA	$5,000 lower in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Kean University Union, NJ	$3,211 higher in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA	$2,464 lower in-state tuition	25% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX	$2,786 lower in-state tuition	22% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of California Merced Merced, CA	$4,535 higher in-state tuition	23% higher acceptance rate	Compare
California State University San Marcos San Marcos, CA	$3,006 lower in-state tuition	27% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Salem State University Salem, MA	$1,250 higher in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Texas Woman's University Denton, TX	$2,448 lower in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Lamar University Beaumont, TX	$2,183 lower in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO	$36 higher in-state tuition	31% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA	$1,671 lower in-state tuition	23% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO	$1,161 lower in-state tuition	14% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Angelo State University San Angelo, TX	$2,628 lower in-state tuition	15% higher acceptance rate	Compare
California State University Monterey Bay Seaside, CA	$3,309 lower in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare
East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX	$1,062 lower in-state tuition	24% higher acceptance rate	Compare
CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NY	$3,678 lower in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ	$3,372 higher in-state tuition	30% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Gordon State College Barnesville, GA	$7,460 lower in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK	$3,278 lower in-state tuition	32% higher acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TX	$1,852 lower in-state tuition	27% higher acceptance rate	Compare
CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY	$3,756 lower in-state tuition	12% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV	$2,032 lower in-state tuition	29% higher acceptance rate	Compare
SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, NY	$2,346 lower in-state tuition	24% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA	$2,224 lower in-state tuition	25% higher acceptance rate	Compare
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi Delhi, NY	$2,316 lower in-state tuition	21% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Fort Hays State University Hays, KS	$5,165 lower in-state tuition	22% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD	$2,324 lower in-state tuition	28% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Northern State University Aberdeen, SD	$2,243 lower in-state tuition	25% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Houston Clear Lake Houston, TX	$3,318 lower in-state tuition	23% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Augusta University Augusta, GA	$2,674 lower in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157447.

Last updated: August 2026