KY State vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Kentucky University is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Kentucky 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: Kentucky State University 10:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

KY State vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State 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 KY State ($9,211 vs. $9,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 31.7% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($8,686 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $1,701 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at NKU than at Kentucky State University (about $8,254 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Kentucky State University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky State University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($10,340 vs. $10,332).

KY State vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State 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 KY State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 130 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming NKU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 36.8% at NKU.

KY State vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State 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).

• Northern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $4,050 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($24,950 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($257 vs. $299).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 24%)

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.