Berea College vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Berea College in Berea, KY 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 Berea College based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Berea College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College 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 Berea College than NKU ($5,888 vs. $9,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 35.4% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($8,208 vs. $12,712).
• Berea College is 365.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $40,570 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.8% higher at Berea College than at Northern Kentucky University (about $29,746 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 430.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($54,830 vs. $10,332).

Berea College vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College 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 Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 200 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Berea College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at NKU (3.42).
• NKU has a higher acceptance rate (67.6%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Berea College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College 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).

• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $19,150 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($5,800 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $198 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($59 vs. $257).
• More Berea College 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.