NKU vs. WMU

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

NKU WMU
Location Highland Heights, KY Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,801 17,000
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #634
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU WMU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $18,154
Room & Board $11,248 $11,102
Avg Net Price $7,259 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

NKU WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 20,501
Admitted 5,939 17,334
Acceptance Rate 86% 84.6%
Enrolled % 27.6% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 990/1220
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 WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

NKU WMU
Graduation Rate 37% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $257 $275

Diversity

NKU WMU
% Men 36% 47%
% Women 64% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 72%
% Black 7% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU WMU
% In-State 66% 79%
% Out-of-State 26% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or WMU?

  • Western Michigan University is 42.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.7% higher at NKU than Western Michigan University ($20,464.00 vs. $18,154.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than WMU ($7,259 vs. $20,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 1.3% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,102 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 65.5% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($11,275 vs. $6,813)

NKU vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 38 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than WMU (84.6%)

NKU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (56% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $9,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,683 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,633)
  • NKU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($257 vs. $275)
  • More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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