NKU vs. Fisk University

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

NKU Fisk University
Location Highland Heights, KY Nashville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 1,055
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #630
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu fisk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Fisk University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $21,600
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $21,600
Room & Board $11,248 $11,500
Avg Net Price $7,259 $20,578
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $18,580
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

NKU Fisk University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 7,268
Admitted 5,939 5,158
Acceptance Rate 86% 71%
Enrolled % 27.6% 6.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 1090/1450
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 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

NKU Fisk University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)

Outcomes

NKU Fisk University
Graduation Rate 37% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $35,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $268

Diversity

NKU Fisk University
% Men 36% 33%
% Women 64% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 82% 1%
% Black 7% 88%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

NKU Fisk University
% In-State 66% 30%
% Out-of-State 26% 57%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Fisk University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 1,055 students)

NKU vs. Fisk University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Fisk University?

  • Fisk University is 111.6% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($21,600.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.6% higher at Fisk University than Northern Kentucky University ($21,600.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Fisk University ($7,259 vs. $20,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 2.2% lower than costs at Fisk University ($11,248 vs. $11,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Fisk University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fisk University students is 64.8% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($18,580 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Fisk University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 131 points higher than at Fisk University (937)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Fisk University (20)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Fisk University (3.1)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Fisk University (71%)

NKU vs. Fisk University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Fisk 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 Fisk University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Fisk University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (45% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $3,800 more per year than Fisk University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $35,900)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Fisk University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Fisk University graduates. ($257 vs. $268)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisk University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 38%)

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