KWC vs. NKU

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

Kentucky Wesleyan College
Northern Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NKU (67.6% admitted vs 71.6%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: NKU. Average net price is $9,211 vs $20,999 at KWC.
  • Graduation: KWC 44% vs NKU 37%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KWC $38,500 vs NKU $39,700 (median).
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Key differences

Kentucky Wesleyan College Northern Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
NKU more selective
KWC71.6%
NKU67.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NKU higher
KWC890-1130
NKU953-1150
Average net price
NKU $11,788 less
KWC$20,999
NKU$9,211
In-state tuition
NKU $23,585 less
KWC$34,673
NKU$11,088
Out-of-state tuition
NKU $12,761 less
KWC$34,673
NKU$21,912
Graduation rate
KWC +7 pts
KWC44%
NKU37%
Median earnings (10 years)
NKU +$1,200
KWC$38,500
NKU$39,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KWC 2,113
  • NKU 6,058
  • Admitted
  • KWC 1,513
  • NKU 4,098
  • Acceptance rate
  • KWC 71.6%
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KWC 17.7%
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KWC 1010
  • NKU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • KWC 19
  • NKU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • KWC 3.3
  • NKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • KWC B+
  • NKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KWC Low
  • NKU Low
  • SAT range
  • KWC 890-1130
  • NKU 953-1150
  • ACT range
  • KWC 16-23
  • NKU 18-25
  • Submit test scores
  • KWC Test optional
  • NKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • KWC
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • NKU $11,088
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • NKU $21,912
  • Room & board
  • KWC $11,855
  • NKU $12,712
  • Average net price
  • KWC $20,999
  • NKU $9,211
  • Average grant aid
  • KWC $25,538
  • NKU $10,332
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KWC 100%
  • NKU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • KWC 44%
  • NKU 37%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KWC $38,500
  • NKU $39,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • KWC 54%
  • NKU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KWC $22,907
  • NKU $24,950
  • Median loan payment
  • KWC $236
  • NKU $257
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KWC 15:1
  • NKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Location
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Setting
  • KWC Small City
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • KWC 887
  • NKU 15,347
  • Type
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KWC
  • NKU #854

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Kentucky University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 6.7% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,855 vs. $12,712).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 58.2% higher at KWC than at Northern Kentucky University (about $12,761 more per year; $34,673 vs. $21,912).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 147.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($25,538 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at NKU than at KWC (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both KWC and NKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at KWC (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $2,043 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($22,907 vs. $24,950).
  • Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($236 vs. $257).
  • More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 53%).

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

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