NKU vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; La Roche University 11:1.

NKU vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or LRC? 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 Northern Kentucky University than LRC ($9,211 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 5.1% lower than at La Roche University ($12,712 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 207.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $22,964 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.4% higher at LRC than at Northern Kentucky University (about $12,140 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at La Roche University (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 123.4% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($23,083 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. LRC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or LRC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between LRC and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at La Roche University (1070) is 20 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming NKU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman NKU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at LRC (3.2).
• LRC has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 9.8% at LRC.

NKU vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and LRC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,050 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($24,950 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($257 vs. $268).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

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.