IU South Bend vs. NKU

Should I go to Indiana University South Bend or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IU South Bend or NKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Indiana University South Bend vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Indiana University South Bend Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Indiana University South Bend Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

IU South Bend NKU
Location South Bend, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,326 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #917 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iusb.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IU South Bend NKU
Tuition (In State) $7,274 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $20,634 $20,464
Room & Board $9,190 $11,248
Avg Net Price $8,785 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $7,821 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

IU South Bend NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,348 6,905
Admitted 2,040 5,939
Acceptance Rate 86.9% 86%
Enrolled % 37.8% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/22 19/25
SAT Range 970/1190 1030/1290
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, 2024

Academics

IU South Bend NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

IU South Bend NKU
Graduation Rate 22% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,530 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $253 $257

Diversity

IU South Bend NKU
% Men 33% 36%
% Women 67% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 82%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 9% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

IU South Bend NKU
% In-State 95% 66%
% Out-of-State 4% 26%

Campus

IU South Bend NKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 4,326 students)

IU South Bend vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 40.3% more expensive to attend than IU South Bend for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $7,274.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.8% higher at IU South Bend than Northern Kentucky University ($20,634.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than IU South Bend ($7,259 vs. $8,785)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 22.4% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,190 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Indiana University South Bend (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 44.2% larger than aid received Indiana University South Bend ($11,275 vs. $7,821)

IU South Bend vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or IU South Bend .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 113 points higher than at IU South Bend (955)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at IU South Bend (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IU South Bend (3.24)
  • IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than NKU (86%)

IU South Bend vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IU South Bend 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 IU South Bend.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Indiana University South Bend (37% vs. 22%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $2,600 more per year than IU South Bend graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,100)
  • Indiana University South Bend students graduate with a $420 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,530 vs. $24,950)
  • IU South Bend graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($253 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/