NKU vs. Tusculum University

Northern Kentucky University and Tusculum University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northern Kentucky University
Tusculum University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NKU (67.6% admitted vs 72.2%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: NKU. Average net price is $9,211 vs $20,355 at Tusculum University.
  • Graduation: NKU 37% vs Tusculum University 38%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NKU $39,700 vs Tusculum University $41,900 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Kentucky University Tusculum University
Acceptance rate
NKU more selective
NKU67.6%
Tusculum University72.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NKU higher
NKU953-1150
Tusculum University910-1110
Average net price
NKU $11,144 less
NKU$9,211
Tusculum University$20,355
In-state tuition
NKU $18,162 less
NKU$11,088
Tusculum University$29,250
Out-of-state tuition
NKU $7,338 less
NKU$21,912
Tusculum University$29,250
Graduation rate
Tusculum University +1 pts
NKU37%
Tusculum University38%
Median earnings (10 years)
Tusculum University +$2,200
NKU$39,700
Tusculum University$41,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NKU 6,058
  • Tusculum University 1,660
  • Admitted
  • NKU 4,098
  • Tusculum University 1,198
  • Acceptance rate
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Tusculum University 72.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Tusculum University 16.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NKU 1050
  • Tusculum University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • NKU 21
  • Tusculum University 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • NKU 3.42
  • Tusculum University 3.18
  • Typical high school grades
  • NKU B+
  • Tusculum University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Tusculum University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • NKU Low
  • Tusculum University Low
  • SAT range
  • NKU 953-1150
  • Tusculum University 910-1110
  • ACT range
  • NKU 18-25
  • Tusculum University 17-22
  • Submit test scores
  • NKU Test optional
  • Tusculum University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tusculum University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NKU $11,088
  • Tusculum University $29,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NKU $21,912
  • Tusculum University $29,250
  • Room & board
  • NKU $12,712
  • Tusculum University $11,000
  • Average net price
  • NKU $9,211
  • Tusculum University $20,355
  • Average grant aid
  • NKU $10,332
  • Tusculum University $23,759
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NKU 98%
  • Tusculum University 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • NKU 37%
  • Tusculum University 38%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NKU $39,700
  • Tusculum University $41,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • NKU 53%
  • Tusculum University 52%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NKU $24,950
  • Tusculum University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • NKU $257
  • Tusculum University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NKU 19:1
  • Tusculum University 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Tusculum University
    • Business (55%)
    • Education (31%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Biology (3%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (1%)
  • Location
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Tusculum University Greeneville, TN
  • Setting
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Tusculum University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • NKU 15,347
  • Tusculum University 1,103
  • Type
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • Tusculum University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NKU #854
  • Tusculum University #1000

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Tusculum University based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 1,103 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Tusculum University is in Greeneville, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tusculum University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Tusculum University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tusculum University are 13.5% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,000 vs. $12,712).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.5% higher at Tusculum University than at Northern Kentucky University (about $7,338 more per year; $29,250 vs. $21,912).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Tusculum University (98% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tusculum University students is 130% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($23,759 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at NKU than at Tusculum University (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at NKU, test-free at Tusculum University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Tusculum University (3.18).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 16.4% at Tusculum University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than Tusculum University graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tusculum University graduates ($257 vs. $279).
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tusculum University students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 52%).

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

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