Eastern vs. NKU

Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Eastern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NKU (67.6% admitted vs 77.6%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 980.
  • Cheaper after aid: NKU. Average net price is $9,211 vs $12,279 at Eastern.
  • Graduation: Eastern 38% vs NKU 37%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Eastern $37,900 vs NKU $39,700 (median).
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Key differences

Eastern Kentucky University Northern Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
NKU more selective
Eastern77.6%
NKU67.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NKU higher
Eastern880-1080
NKU953-1150
Average net price
NKU $3,068 less
Eastern$12,279
NKU$9,211
In-state tuition
Eastern $768 less
Eastern$10,320
NKU$11,088
Out-of-state tuition
Eastern $682 less
Eastern$21,230
NKU$21,912
Graduation rate
Eastern +1 pts
Eastern38%
NKU37%
Median earnings (10 years)
NKU +$1,800
Eastern$37,900
NKU$39,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Eastern 17,024
  • NKU 6,058
  • Admitted
  • Eastern 13,212
  • NKU 4,098
  • Acceptance rate
  • Eastern 77.6%
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Eastern 19.9%
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Eastern 980
  • NKU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • Eastern 22
  • NKU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Eastern 3.39
  • NKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Eastern B+
  • NKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Eastern Very Easy
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Eastern
  • NKU Low
  • SAT range
  • Eastern 880-1080
  • NKU 953-1150
  • ACT range
  • Eastern 19-25
  • NKU 18-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Eastern Test optional
  • NKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Eastern Aug 1, 2027
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Eastern $10,320
  • NKU $11,088
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Eastern $21,230
  • NKU $21,912
  • Room & board
  • Eastern $12,268
  • NKU $12,712
  • Average net price
  • Eastern $12,279
  • NKU $9,211
  • Average grant aid
  • Eastern $11,468
  • NKU $10,332
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Eastern 98%
  • NKU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Eastern 38%
  • NKU 37%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Eastern $37,900
  • NKU $39,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Eastern 49%
  • NKU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Eastern $23,695
  • NKU $24,950
  • Median loan payment
  • Eastern $245
  • NKU $257
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Eastern 17:1
  • NKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Eastern
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Location
  • Eastern Richmond, KY
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Setting
  • Eastern Distant Town
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Eastern 15,673
  • NKU 15,347
  • Type
  • Eastern Public 4 Year
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Eastern #886
  • NKU #854

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 15,347 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 3.5% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,268 vs. $12,712).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at NKU than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $682 more per year; $21,912 vs. $21,230).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University as at Northern Kentucky University (98% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 11% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($11,468 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Eastern than at NKU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Eastern and NKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Eastern (3.39).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,255 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($23,695 vs. $24,950).
  • Among borrowers, Eastern graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($245 vs. $257).
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 49%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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