NKU vs. City Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with CUNY New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than City Tech based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 14,486 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); CUNY New York City College of Technology is in Brooklyn, NY (Large City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY New York City College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; CUNY New York City College of Technology 16:1.

NKU vs. City Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or City Tech? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at CUNY New York City College of Technology than NKU ($5,794 vs. $9,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 42.9% lower than at CUNY New York City College of Technology ($12,712 vs. $22,260).
• Northern Kentucky University is 51.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than City Tech (about $3,756 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $7,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at NKU than at CUNY New York City College of Technology (about $6,630 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $15,282.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at CUNY New York City College of Technology (98% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 25.9% larger than aid received by CUNY New York City College of Technology students ($10,332 vs. $8,206).

NKU vs. City Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or City Tech? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between City Tech and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 30 points higher than at City Tech (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; CUNY New York City College of Technology 900/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; City Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; City Tech Sep 1, 2026.
• City Tech has a higher acceptance rate (80.3%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 18.2% at City Tech.

NKU vs. City Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and City Tech? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than CUNY New York City College of Technology's (24%).
• Graduates from CUNY New York City College of Technology earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates have a $14,337 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($10,613 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, City Tech graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($109 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City Tech students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.