BSU vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

BSU vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or NKU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than BSU ($9,211 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 3% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,334 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $6 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.2% higher at BSU than at Northern Kentucky University (about $7,718 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Ball State University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 27.9% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($13,218 vs. $10,332).

BSU vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or NKU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NKU and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 120 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming BSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at NKU (3.42).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 36.8% at NKU.

BSU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and NKU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $50 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($24,950 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($257 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.