NKU vs. Carthage

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

Northern Kentucky University
Carthage College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NKU (67.6% admitted vs 87.1%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: NKU. Average net price is $9,211 vs $27,066 at Carthage.
  • Graduation: NKU 37% vs Carthage 59%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NKU $39,700 vs Carthage $48,800 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Kentucky University Carthage College
Acceptance rate
NKU more selective
NKU67.6%
Carthage87.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carthage higher
NKU953-1150
Carthage1000-1205
Average net price
NKU $17,855 less
NKU$9,211
Carthage$27,066
In-state tuition
NKU $27,662 less
NKU$11,088
Carthage$38,750
Out-of-state tuition
NKU $16,838 less
NKU$21,912
Carthage$38,750
Graduation rate
Carthage +22 pts
NKU37%
Carthage59%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carthage +$9,100
NKU$39,700
Carthage$48,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NKU 6,058
  • Carthage 7,777
  • Admitted
  • NKU 4,098
  • Carthage 6,771
  • Acceptance rate
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Carthage 87.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Carthage 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NKU 1050
  • Carthage 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • NKU 21
  • Carthage 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • NKU 3.42
  • Carthage 3.36
  • Typical high school grades
  • NKU B+
  • Carthage B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Carthage Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • NKU Low
  • Carthage
  • SAT range
  • NKU 953-1150
  • Carthage 1000-1205
  • ACT range
  • NKU 18-25
  • Carthage 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • NKU Test optional
  • Carthage Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027
  • Carthage
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NKU $11,088
  • Carthage $38,750
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NKU $21,912
  • Carthage $38,750
  • Room & board
  • NKU $12,712
  • Carthage $13,450
  • Average net price
  • NKU $9,211
  • Carthage $27,066
  • Average grant aid
  • NKU $10,332
  • Carthage $23,784
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NKU 98%
  • Carthage 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • NKU 37%
  • Carthage 59%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NKU $39,700
  • Carthage $48,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • NKU 53%
  • Carthage 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NKU $24,950
  • Carthage $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • NKU $257
  • Carthage $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NKU 19:1
  • Carthage 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Carthage
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Carthage Kenosha, WI
  • Setting
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Carthage Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • NKU 15,347
  • Carthage 2,844
  • Type
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • Carthage Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NKU #854
  • Carthage #663

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 2,844 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 5.5% lower than at Carthage College ($12,712 vs. $13,450).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 76.8% higher at Carthage than at Northern Kentucky University (about $16,838 more per year; $38,750 vs. $21,912).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 130.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($23,784 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carthage than at NKU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NKU and Carthage.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Carthage (3.36).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($257 vs. $279).
  • More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation (73% 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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