IWU vs. NKU

Should I go to Indiana Wesleyan University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU 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 Wesleyan University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Indiana Wesleyan University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Indiana Wesleyan University Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

IWU NKU
Location Marion, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,603 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #299 #805
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website indwes.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

IWU NKU
Tuition (In State) $29,684 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $29,684 $20,464
Room & Board $10,050 $11,248
Avg Net Price $21,755 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $20,194 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

IWU NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,946 6,905
Admitted 3,422 5,939
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 86%
Enrolled % 16.9% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/25
SAT Range 1000/1190 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

IWU NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (56%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (3%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

IWU NKU
Graduation Rate 70% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,104 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $249 $257

Diversity

IWU NKU
% Men 34% 36%
% Women 66% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 82%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

IWU NKU
% In-State 60% 66%
% Out-of-State 39% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,603 students)

IWU vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or NKU?

  • Indiana Wesleyan University is 190.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($29,684.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.1% higher at IWU than Northern Kentucky University ($29,684.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than IWU ($7,259 vs. $21,755)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University are 11.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,050 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University students is 79.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($20,194 vs. $11,275)

IWU vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Indiana Wesleyan University (1086) is 18 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • IWU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than NKU (86%)

IWU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU 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 IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (70% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University earn on average $14,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $39,700)
  • Indiana Wesleyan University students graduate with a $846 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,104 vs. $24,950)
  • IWU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($249 vs. $257)
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

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