Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State| Governors State University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
GSU | NKU | ||
| Location | University Park, IL | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 4,337 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | govst.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
GSU | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,872 | $10,512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $7,872 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,360 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $10,833 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,315 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 90% | 98% |
Admission |
GSU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | - | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | - | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | |||
| Enrolled % | 21% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 4.0 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A/A+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | |||
| SAT Range | 830/1060 | 916/1133 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Apr 1, 2025 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
GSU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 18:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
GSU | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | - | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $42,600 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 48% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,250 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $178 | $257 |
Diversity |
GSU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 15% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 27% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 36% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 38% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 9% | 1% |
Students |
GSU | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 95% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 3% | 28% | ||
Campus |
GSU | NKU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | |||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | |||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than GSU based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 4,337 students)
GSU vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, GSU or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 33.5% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,872.00)
- Out of state tuition is 168% higher at NKU than Governors State University ($21,096.00 vs. $7,872.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than GSU ($8,151 vs. $10,833)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 2.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,360 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Governors State University (98% vs. 90%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 1.6% larger than aid received Governors State University ($11,492 vs. $11,315)
Which college is harder to get into, GSU or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or GSU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 157 points higher than at GSU (911)
- Incoming NKU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at GSU (19)
- Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at NKU (3.42)
GSU vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, GSU 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 GSU.
- Graduates from Governors State University earn on average $2,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $39,700)
- Governors State University students graduate with a $7,700 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($17,250 vs. $24,950)
- GSU graduates are paying $79 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($178 vs. $257)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 48%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/