NKU vs. Oakland

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

NKU Oakland
Location Highland Heights, KY Rochester Hills, MI
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 16,108
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #751
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu oakland.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Oakland
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $14,476
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $23,730
Room & Board $11,248 $11,192
Avg Net Price $7,259 $15,161
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $9,755
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Oakland
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 11,110
Admitted 5,939 10,005
Acceptance Rate 86% 90.1%
Enrolled % 27.6% 21.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.51
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 1015/1245
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

Academics

NKU Oakland
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Oakland
Graduation Rate 37% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $46,700
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $258

Diversity

NKU Oakland
% Men 36% 43%
% Women 64% 57%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 76%
% Black 7% 8%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

NKU Oakland
% In-State 66% 95%
% Out-of-State 26% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Oakland University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (16,108 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Oakland?

  • Oakland University is 41.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($14,476.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16% higher at Oakland than Northern Kentucky University ($23,730.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Oakland ($7,259 vs. $15,161)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 0.5% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,192 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Oakland University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 15.6% larger than aid received Oakland University ($11,275 vs. $9,755)

NKU vs. Oakland Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Oakland University (1070) is 2 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Oakland (23)
  • Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Oakland? 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 Oakland and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Oakland is higher than Northern Kentucky University (40% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Oakland University earn on average $7,000 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($46,700 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Oakland graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Oakland graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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