NKU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte

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

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Location Highland Heights, KY Charlotte, NC
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 14,961 1,128
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #739
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu jwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $39,792
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $39,792
Room & Board $11,660 $15,644
Avg Net Price $8,151 $29,481
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $26,471
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 4,677
Admitted 6,162 3,521
Acceptance Rate 96% 75.3%
Enrolled % 21% 12.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 16/22
SAT Range 916/1133 920/1140
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, 2025

Academics

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (59%)
  • Work and Family Studies (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Graduation Rate 37% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,900
Median Loan Payment $257 $278

Diversity

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
% Men 10% 0%
% Women 24% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 43%
% Black 7% 37%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
% In-State 71% 31%
% Out-of-State 28% 68%

Campus

NKU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,128 students)

NKU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte?

  • Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is 278.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($39,792.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 88.6% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte than Northern Kentucky University ($39,792.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte ($8,151 vs. $29,481)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 34.2% lower than costs at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte ($11,660 vs. $15,644)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson & Wales University Charlotte students is 130.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($26,471 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte (75.3%)

NKU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte? 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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte is higher than Northern Kentucky University (49% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Johnson & Wales University Charlotte earn on average $400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,100 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,950 lower median federal student loan debt than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,900)
  • NKU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/