NKU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Johnson & Wales University Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 1,184 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Johnson & Wales University Charlotte 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 14.1% lower than at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte ($12,712 vs. $14,800).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.6% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte than at Northern Kentucky University (about $20,507 more per year; $42,419 vs. $21,912).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson & Wales University Charlotte students is 190.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($30,033 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at NKU than at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NKU and Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 13.7% at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,950 lower median loan debt than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates ($24,950 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates ($257 vs. $278).
• More Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 53%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.