BSU vs. NKU

Should I go to Ball State University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BSU or NKU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Purdue North Central Kentucky IU Purdue University of Toledo Indiana State Eastern IU Northwest IPFW IUPUI Murray State University Ohio University
Ball State University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Ball State University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Ball State University Northern Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

BSU NKU
Location Muncie, IN Highland Heights, KY
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 19,777 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #547 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bsu.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

BSU NKU
Tuition (In State) $8,434 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $25,918 $20,464
Room & Board $10,904 $11,248
Avg Net Price $12,615 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $11,418 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

BSU NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,859 6,905
Admitted 15,761 5,939
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 86%
Enrolled % 22.1% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/28 19/25
SAT Range 1090/1260 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

BSU NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

BSU NKU
Graduation Rate 55% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $258 $257

Diversity

BSU NKU
% Men 35% 36%
% Women 65% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 82%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

BSU NKU
% In-State 90% 66%
% Out-of-State 9% 26%

Campus

BSU NKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Ball State University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (19,777 students vs. 15,801 students)

BSU vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 21% more expensive to attend than BSU for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $8,434.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.7% higher at BSU than Northern Kentucky University ($25,918.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than BSU ($7,259 vs. $12,615)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 3.2% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,904 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Ball State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 1.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($11,418 vs. $11,275)

BSU vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or BSU .

  • The average SAT score at Ball State University (1070) is 2 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at BSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than BSU (68.9%)

BSU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BSU or NKU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NKU and BSU.

  • The graduation rate at BSU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (55% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Ball State University earn on average $2,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than BSU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans 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/