Head-to-head · 2026
Centre College vs Northern Kentucky University
Compare average net price ($20,781 at Centre College; $8,191 at Northern Kentucky University), ROI score (7.97 vs 15.33), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($66,240 vs $50,220), and admissions selectivity (54.4% acceptance at Centre College; 67.7% at Northern Kentucky University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Centre College | Northern Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.97 | 15.33 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,781 | $8,191 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $83,124 | $32,764 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $52,820 | $11,088 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $52,820 | $21,912 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $66,240 ✓ | $50,220 |
| Acceptance rate | 54.4% | 67.7% |
| Graduation rate | 80.7% ✓ | 52.2% |
| Retention rate | 87.5% ✓ | 75.5% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $23,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,400 | 8,246 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1352 | 1087 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Centre College | Northern Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,364 | $2,603 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,388 | $3,630 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,847 | $6,761 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,920 | $12,679 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $30,571 | $14,522 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Centre College | Northern Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 15.1% | 0.3% |
| Psychology, General | 7.4% | 2.6% |
| Biology, General | 6.6% | 1.5% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6.6% | 0.2% |
| History | 5.4% | 1.1% |
| Political Science and Government | 5.7% | 0.3% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 4.6% | 0.5% |
| Computer Science | 4.6% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Kentucky University reports the lower average net price by $12,590 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $50,360 difference over four years ($32,764 vs $83,124).
Centre College reports $16,020 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($66,240 vs $50,220). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 87.5% at Centre College and 75.5% at Northern Kentucky University. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $23,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Centre College vs Northern Kentucky University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northern Kentucky University is cheaper — average net price $8,191 per year vs $20,781 at Centre College. The annual difference of $12,590 adds up to about $50,360 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Centre College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $66,240 vs $50,220 at Northern Kentucky University. The gap in the federal data is $16,020. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Centre College is more selective at 54.4% acceptance vs 67.7% at Northern Kentucky University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.