Academic Comparison between NKU and Transylvania

Northern Kentucky University and Transylvania University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. NKU is a four-year, public school located in Highland Heights, KY and Transylvania is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lexington, KY.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • NKU is a public and Transylvania is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Transylvania has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,870) than NKU ($21,912).
  • It is harder to admit to NKU than Transylvania.
  • Transylvania has a higher submitted SAT score (1,040) than NKU (1,040).
  • Transylvania has higher submitted ACT score (21) than NKU (21).
  • NKU has more students with 15,347 students while Transylvania has 1,006 students.
  • Transylvania has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while NKU's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • NKU has more full-time faculties with 533 faculties while Transylvania has 82 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Northern Kentucky Universityvs.Transylvania University
Highland Heights, KentuckyLocationLexington, Kentucky
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$11,088
Out-Of-State$21,912
2025 Tuition & Fees$46,870
86%% Receiving Financial Aid98%
$8,760Average Amount of Financial Aid$34,032
67.65 %Acceptance Rates86.55 %
36.85 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)16.29 %
1,040SAT Score1,250
21ACT Score27
52 %Graduation Rate71 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
76 %Retention Rate87 %
15,347Student Population1,006
533Number of Faculties82
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services