Georgia Southwestern vs. NKU

Should I go to Georgia Southwestern State University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Georgia Southwestern 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.

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Georgia Southwestern State University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Georgia Southwestern State University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Georgia Southwestern State University Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

Georgia Southwestern NKU
Location Americus, GA Highland Heights, KY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,408 14,961
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #970 #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gsw.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Georgia Southwestern NKU
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $21,096
Room & Board $9,574 $11,660
Avg Net Price $11,779 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $8,120 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

Georgia Southwestern NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,045 6,417
Admitted 1,578 6,162
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 96%
Enrolled % 33.8% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21 19/25
SAT Range 900/1130 916/1133
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 Jul 21, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

Georgia Southwestern NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (3%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Georgia Southwestern NKU
Graduation Rate 30% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $227 $257

Diversity

Georgia Southwestern NKU
% Men 5% 10%
% Women 14% 24%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 82%
% Black 29% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Georgia Southwestern NKU
% In-State 95% 71%
% Out-of-State 4% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 3,408 students)

Georgia Southwestern vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 158.7% more expensive to attend than Georgia Southwestern for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.7% higher at NKU than Georgia Southwestern State University ($21,096.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Georgia Southwestern ($8,151 vs. $11,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 21.8% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,574 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Georgia Southwestern State University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 41.5% larger than aid received Georgia Southwestern State University ($11,492 vs. $8,120)

Georgia Southwestern vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 101 points higher than at Georgia Southwestern (967)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Georgia Southwestern (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Georgia Southwestern (77.2%)

Georgia Southwestern vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Georgia Southwestern State University (37% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $1,600 more per year than Georgia Southwestern graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $38,100)
  • Georgia Southwestern State University students graduate with a $2,950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,000 vs. $24,950)
  • Georgia Southwestern graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($227 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Southwestern students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/