NKU vs. PC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than PC based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Presbyterian College is in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Presbyterian College 11:1.

NKU vs. PC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or PC? 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 PC ($9,211 vs. $20,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 6.4% lower than at Presbyterian College ($12,712 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 305% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $33,822 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105% higher at PC than at Northern Kentucky University (about $22,998 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 280.8% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($39,345 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. PC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or PC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PC and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Presbyterian College (1090) is 40 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming PC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Presbyterian College 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Presbyterian College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; PC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NKU (3.42).
• PC has a higher acceptance rate (68.4%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 11.6% at PC.

NKU vs. PC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and PC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,158 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($24,950 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($257 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.