NKU vs. West Liberty University

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

NKU West Liberty University
Location Highland Heights, KY West Liberty, WV
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 15,801 2,315
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #897
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu westliberty.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU West Liberty University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $8,716
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $17,100
Room & Board $11,248 $10,020
Avg Net Price $7,259 $13,788
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $5,824
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 85%

Admission

NKU West Liberty University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,706
Admitted 5,939 1,264
Acceptance Rate 86% 74.1%
Enrolled % 27.6% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 6/9
SAT Range 1030/1290 888/1130
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 West Liberty University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

NKU West Liberty University
Graduation Rate 37% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,617
Median Loan Payment $257 $254

Diversity

NKU West Liberty University
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 79%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 12%

Students

NKU West Liberty University
% In-State 66% 61%
% Out-of-State 26% 37%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than West Liberty University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,315 students)

NKU vs. West Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or West Liberty University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 17.1% more expensive to attend than West Liberty University for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $8,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19.7% higher at NKU than West Liberty University ($20,464.00 vs. $17,100.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than West Liberty University ($7,259 vs. $13,788)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Liberty University are 12.3% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,020 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than West Liberty University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 93.6% larger than aid received West Liberty University ($11,275 vs. $5,824)

NKU vs. West Liberty University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 84 points higher than at West Liberty University (984)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at West Liberty University (21)
  • Accepted freshman West Liberty University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than West Liberty University (74.1%)

NKU vs. West Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or West Liberty University? 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 West Liberty University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at West Liberty University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (46% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $1,800 more per year than West Liberty University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,900)
  • West Liberty University students graduate with a $333 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,617 vs. $24,950)
  • West Liberty University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($254 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 49%)

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