NKU vs. Bethany College

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

Northern Kentucky University
Bethany College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bethany College (58.8% admitted vs 67.6%). Typical SAT 990 vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: NKU. Average net price is $9,211 vs $19,035 at Bethany College.
  • Graduation: NKU 37% vs Bethany College 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NKU $39,700 vs Bethany College $44,000 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Kentucky University Bethany College
Acceptance rate
Bethany College more selective
NKU67.6%
Bethany College58.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NKU higher
NKU953-1150
Bethany College870-1110
Average net price
NKU $9,824 less
NKU$9,211
Bethany College$19,035
In-state tuition
NKU $25,677 less
NKU$11,088
Bethany College$36,765
Out-of-state tuition
NKU $14,853 less
NKU$21,912
Bethany College$36,765
Graduation rate
Bethany College +11 pts
NKU37%
Bethany College48%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bethany College +$4,300
NKU$39,700
Bethany College$44,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NKU 6,058
  • Bethany College 1,359
  • Admitted
  • NKU 4,098
  • Bethany College 799
  • Acceptance rate
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Bethany College 58.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Bethany College 27.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NKU 1050
  • Bethany College 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • NKU 21
  • Bethany College 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • NKU 3.42
  • Bethany College 2.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • NKU B+
  • Bethany College B
  • Admissions standards
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Bethany College Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • NKU Low
  • Bethany College Low
  • SAT range
  • NKU 953-1150
  • Bethany College 870-1110
  • ACT range
  • NKU 18-25
  • Bethany College 18-26
  • Submit test scores
  • NKU Test optional
  • Bethany College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027
  • Bethany College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NKU $11,088
  • Bethany College $36,765
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NKU $21,912
  • Bethany College $36,765
  • Room & board
  • NKU $12,712
  • Bethany College $13,210
  • Average net price
  • NKU $9,211
  • Bethany College $19,035
  • Average grant aid
  • NKU $10,332
  • Bethany College $31,646
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NKU 98%
  • Bethany College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • NKU 37%
  • Bethany College 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NKU $39,700
  • Bethany College $44,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • NKU 53%
  • Bethany College 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NKU $24,950
  • Bethany College $30,884
  • Median loan payment
  • NKU $257
  • Bethany College $319
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NKU 19:1
  • Bethany College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Bethany College
    • Education (15%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Human Services (8%)
  • Location
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Bethany College Bethany, WV
  • Setting
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Bethany College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • NKU 15,347
  • Bethany College 640
  • Type
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • Bethany College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NKU #854
  • Bethany College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 3.8% lower than at Bethany College ($12,712 vs. $13,210).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 67.8% higher at Bethany College than at Northern Kentucky University (about $14,853 more per year; $36,765 vs. $21,912).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 206.3% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($31,646 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bethany College than at NKU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at NKU, test-free at Bethany College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.57 higher than at Bethany College (2.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $5,934 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($24,950 vs. $30,884).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($257 vs. $319).
  • More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation (56% 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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