NKU vs. MIAD

Northern Kentucky University and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northern Kentucky University
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MIAD (60.5% admitted vs 67.6%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: NKU. Average net price is $9,211 vs $27,579 at MIAD.
  • Graduation: NKU 37% vs MIAD 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NKU $39,700 vs MIAD $36,000 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Kentucky University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Acceptance rate
MIAD more selective
NKU67.6%
MIAD60.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NKU higher
NKU953-1150
MIAD940-1140
Average net price
NKU $18,368 less
NKU$9,211
MIAD$27,579
In-state tuition
NKU $32,655 less
NKU$11,088
MIAD$43,743
Out-of-state tuition
NKU $21,831 less
NKU$21,912
MIAD$43,743
Graduation rate
MIAD +20 pts
NKU37%
MIAD57%
Median earnings (10 years)
NKU +$3,700
NKU$39,700
MIAD$36,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NKU 6,058
  • MIAD 1,039
  • Admitted
  • NKU 4,098
  • MIAD 629
  • Acceptance rate
  • NKU 67.6%
  • MIAD 60.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NKU 36.8%
  • MIAD 33.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NKU 1050
  • MIAD 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • NKU 21
  • MIAD 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • NKU 3.42
  • MIAD 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • NKU B+
  • MIAD B
  • Admissions standards
  • NKU Very Easy
  • MIAD Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • NKU Low
  • MIAD Low
  • SAT range
  • NKU 953-1150
  • MIAD 940-1140
  • ACT range
  • NKU 18-25
  • MIAD 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • NKU Test optional
  • MIAD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027
  • MIAD Aug 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NKU $11,088
  • MIAD $43,743
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NKU $21,912
  • MIAD $43,743
  • Room & board
  • NKU $12,712
  • MIAD $10,955
  • Average net price
  • NKU $9,211
  • MIAD $27,579
  • Average grant aid
  • NKU $10,332
  • MIAD $26,015
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NKU 98%
  • MIAD 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • NKU 37%
  • MIAD 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NKU $39,700
  • MIAD $36,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • NKU 53%
  • MIAD 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NKU $24,950
  • MIAD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • NKU $257
  • MIAD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NKU 19:1
  • MIAD 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • MIAD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
    • Communications Technology (7%)
    • Architecture (6%)
  • Location
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • MIAD Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • MIAD Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • NKU 15,347
  • MIAD 838
  • Type
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • MIAD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NKU #854
  • MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 838 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 13.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,955 vs. $12,712).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 99.6% higher at MIAD than at Northern Kentucky University (about $21,831 more per year; $43,743 vs. $21,912).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 151.8% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($26,015 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at MIAD than at NKU (24 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NKU and MIAD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.34 higher than at MIAD (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($257 vs. $279).
  • More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 53%).

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

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