<p>Since I am a resident of this state, I have decided that I should either go to one of three public schools here: the University of Kentucky (Lexington), the University of Louisville (Louisville), or Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights/minutes away from Cincinnati, OH). My major is undecided, but I will probably want to try either for Economics or Biology/Biological Sciences if I decided to enter the medical field.</p>
<p>I am wondering if anyone on CC has any thoughts on which of the three schools they would prefer. Any insight, advice, or help will be appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>So many things depend on your own situation, but as a resident of Kentucky for three decades here is my ranking of the three schools: University of Kentucky > University of Louisville > Northern Kentucky University. UK is the state’s flagship university, which I think means more money and emphasis is placed on the school than the other two. This translates to the GENERAL OVERALL quality of the faculty, students, and resources at UK will be higher. Both UK and UL have medical schools, and both Lexington and Louisville have many medical facilities for internships, volunteering, shadowing, etc., but there are three hospitals either on campus, or within walking distance, of UK. My sense is that there is more student oriented activities surrounding campus at UK than at UL, with NKU far less so. OTOH, Louisville is a more vibrant city than Lexington. Although Cincinnati may only be minutes away from NKU, it can be a 30-40 minute trip on congested interstates. Both UK and UL have big-time sports, if that’s important. UK has a good honors program. UK probably has wider prestige in the state and surrounding area than UL, although UL might have more within the metropolitan Louisville area. UK probably has slightly more diversity, with students from all over the state, while UL and NKU will have a larger percentage of students from Louisville or northern Kentucky. This might mean a higher number of commuter, non-traditional, and part-time students at UL and NKU. To me, unless there are compelling reasons to attend NKU (finances, where you live, a particular program, etc.), the choice is probably between UK and UL. All things being equal, which they rarely are, my nod would go to UK. You, or someone else, might rearrange the schools differently.</p>
<p>Thank you so much, JustaGuy. Out of all three schools, I’m actually closest to UK (half an hour away). Cost is no issue. I didn’t apply for any of their honors programs, and don’t intend to. I just need to make a clear decision within the next several weeks. U of L is lowest on my “list”, with NKU and UK as my tops. But I will thoroughly look into each school over the next few weeks.</p>
<p>Also, is the University of Kentucky a tier one university, while Northern Kentucky University is a tier three? Does the tier ranking make a huge difference after earning my degree? I know that each school will have its good and bad points for different students, but I am wondering if and how anything like this could help or hurt a student in the end. </p>
<p>If I plan to stay around the Cincinnati area, will NKU be the best choice? Or, will UK still be better?</p>
<p>UK is considered a national university, meaning it offers a full range of undergraduate, masters, and PhD programs, plus having a commitment to research. US News & World Report ranks it (tied with a couple of other schools) at 129. NKU is considered a regional university, meaning it offers a full range of undergraduate programs, but far fewer masters and doctoral programs, and much less emphasis on research. US News ranks NKU as 66 in the Regional University, South category. UK is the top public university in the state, and would carry more prestige (or at least name recognition) in the surrounding area, including Cincinnati. Two other things to consider. US News has NKU’s 4-year graduation rate at 8%, which is very low, and 14% of the students living in university-owned housing. In contrast, UK’s 4-year graduation rate is 32%, with 28% living in university-owned housing. Many of the students living off-campus at UK live in the immediate area surrounding campus. I haven’t been to NKU in several years, and it may have changed, but it seemed to me it was not really near anything. With only 14% living on campus, I would want to know how many NKU students are commuter or part-time students. You mentioned majoring in economics or biological sciences, and possibly entering the medical field. I’m not sure what field you are most interested in, but unless NKU has a specific major not offered at UK, then I think UK would offer far more opportunities and have stronger programs in these areas. Having four hospitals on campus or within walking distance is a major plus. UK is much larger, although the tuition costs seem to be roughly equivalent. If the size doesn’t matter to you, and the costs are about the same, my vote would be UK because it is a stronger school academically than NKU, and a degree will therefore carry more weight. If you enroll in one, don’t like it, there probably wouldn’t be much problem in transferring.</p>
<p>Not weighing in on which school–but NKU is not “30-40 minutes from Cincinnati in interstate traffic”. It is maybe (max) 10 minutes from downtown. I’ve made the drive many times. It would only be 30-40 minutes in a blizzard or if the interstate was shut down.</p>
<p>Not your field of interest, but the father of a good friend was a UK alum and had great jobs in the Aerospace industry for years, all over the country.</p>
<p>I still think that if you have med school plans, it’s best to attend the flagship U. It’s a known national U, there will be more research opps and likely better pre-med advising.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the replies. Many seem to be saying UK. Does anyone know how well it is regarded out of state? Anymore experiences, anyone?</p>