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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University UAFS WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU University of Central Arkansas| Arkansas Tech University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
ATU | NKU | ||
| Location | Russellville, AR | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 9,487 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #927 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | atu.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
ATU | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,995 | $10,512 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $11,989 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,852 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,443 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,680 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 98% |
Admission |
ATU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,904 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 4,722 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.3% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.1% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.37 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1150 | 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, 2025 |
Academics |
ATU | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
ATU | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 43% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,100 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 51% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,750 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $183 | $257 |
Diversity |
ATU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 3% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 4% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
ATU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 94% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 28% | ||
Campus |
ATU | 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 ATU based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 9,487 students)
ATU vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, ATU or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 75.3% more expensive to attend than ATU for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $5,995.00)
- Out of state tuition is 76% higher at NKU than Arkansas Tech University ($21,096.00 vs. $11,989.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than ATU ($8,151 vs. $11,443)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 18.4% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,852 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Arkansas Tech University (98% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 18.7% larger than aid received Arkansas Tech University ($11,492 vs. $9,680)
ATU vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, ATU or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or ATU .
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ATU (3.37)
- ATU has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than NKU (96%)
ATU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, ATU 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 ATU.
- The graduation rate at ATU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (43% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $2,600 more per year than ATU graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,100)
- Arkansas Tech University students graduate with a $7,200 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($17,750 vs. $24,950)
- ATU graduates are paying $74 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($183 vs. $257)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/