Northern Kentucky University vs Western Kentucky University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +173% | +29% |
| 10-year net gain | $71,215 | $14,948 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $56,236 | $51,696 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $44,975 | $43,067 |
| Average net price | $8,191 | $10,990 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $22,095 |
| Break-even | 3.7 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 52% | 56% |
| Admission rate | 68% | 94% |
Northern Kentucky University
Strong return
+$71,215 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Western Kentucky University
Break-even
+$14,948 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.