Kean U vs Northern Kentucky University (NKU)

Kean University and Northern Kentucky University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Kean University, nestled in Union, New Jersey, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, while Northern Kentucky University, located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, prides itself on its strong regional ties and commitment to community engagement. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes, these universities cater to different student needs and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
Kean University logo

Kean University

Northern Kentucky University logo

Northern Kentucky University

Overview

Location Union, New Jersey Highland Heights, Kentucky
Campus setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 71.0% 70.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 79.2% 80.3%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $75
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $40
SAT range 920 - 1120 983 - 1210
ACT range 17 - 23 20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 17.0% 7.0%
Students submitting ACT score 2.0% 84.0%
Total number of applicants 9,048 6,637
Total number of admissions given out 7,162 5,329
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,502 1,690
Yield rate 21.0% 31.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $26,249

Out of state: $33,425
In state: $28,010

Out of state: $38,066
Average net price $18,078 $7,443
Tuition
In state: $10,445

Out of state: $17,621
In state: $10,008

Out of state: $20,064
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $11,280

Meal plan: $3,554
$11,454
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

91.0%
Average amount $7,764
99.0%
Average amount $10,343
Students receiving federal student loan 49.0%
Average amount $4,968
43.0%
Average amount $4,988
Students taking out private loans 12.0%
Average amount $13,532
3.0%
Average amount $10,090

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 10,573
Men 38.3% Women 61.7%
10,814
Men 39.8% Women 60.2%
Graduate students 2,186
Men 21.3% Women 78.7%
5,165
Men 25.9% Women 74.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Very Low
Out-of-state students 5.1% N/A
International students 2.5% 2.0%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 1,823 1,376
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Connecticut Mississippi Ohio Indiana Florida Maryland

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 17:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 47.7% 47.8%
Dropout rate 19.1% 49.3%
Transferred out 30.3% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,886
  • Year 2: $105,083
  • Year 3: $106,550
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $83,745
  • Year 2: $82,238
  • Year 3: $82,619
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,540
  • Year 2: $71,957
  • Year 3: $78,110
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,850
  • Year 2: $72,640
  • Year 3: $72,613
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,235
  • Year 2: $73,635
  • Year 3: $70,650
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,311
  • Year 2: $49,436
  • Year 3: $62,510
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,586
  • Year 2: $60,452
  • Year 3: $60,464
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,317
  • Year 2: $62,579
  • Year 3: $59,517
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,810
  • Year 2: $57,995
  • Year 3: $58,144
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,307
  • Year 2: $41,406
  • Year 3: $54,570
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $94,408
  • Year 3: $98,497
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,665
  • Year 2: $90,245
  • Year 3: $95,400
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,690
  • Year 2: $101,406
  • Year 3: $91,600
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,069
  • Year 2: $81,333
  • Year 3: $79,768
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,058
  • Year 2: $67,420
  • Year 3: $74,689
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,266
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $72,692
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,922
  • Year 2: $59,071
  • Year 3: $66,724
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,135
  • Year 2: $59,534
  • Year 3: $65,990
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,914
  • Year 2: $56,867
  • Year 3: $62,291
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,900
  • Year 2: $50,856
  • Year 3: $61,904

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