NKU vs. Carlow University

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

NKU Carlow University
Location Highland Heights, KY Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 2,104
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #752
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu carlow.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Carlow University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $32,402
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $32,402
Room & Board $11,248 $13,014
Avg Net Price $7,259 $17,437
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $26,713
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

NKU Carlow University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,124
Admitted 5,939 1,042
Acceptance Rate 86% 92.7%
Enrolled % 27.6% 19.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 850/1100
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

NKU Carlow University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Carlow University
Graduation Rate 37% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $41,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Carlow University
% Men 36% 14%
% Women 64% 86%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 61%
% Black 7% 22%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 8%

Students

NKU Carlow University
% In-State 66% 88%
% Out-of-State 26% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Carlow University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,104 students)

NKU vs. Carlow University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Carlow University?

  • Carlow University is 217.4% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($32,402.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.3% higher at Carlow University than Northern Kentucky University ($32,402.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Carlow University ($7,259 vs. $17,437)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 15.7% lower than costs at Carlow University ($11,248 vs. $13,014)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Carlow University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 136.9% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($26,713 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Carlow University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 96 points higher than at Carlow University (972)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Carlow University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Carlow University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. Carlow University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Carlow University? 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 Carlow University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Carlow University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (51% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Carlow University earn on average $2,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($41,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Carlow University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Carlow University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Carlow University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

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