Morehead State University vs. NKU

Should I go to Morehead State University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Morehead State University 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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Morehead State University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Morehead State University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Morehead State University Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

Morehead State University NKU
Location Morehead, KY Highland Heights, KY
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 8,807 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website moreheadstate.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Morehead State University NKU
Tuition (In State) $9,240 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $13,966 $20,464
Room & Board $9,626 $11,248
Avg Net Price $10,991 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $12,140 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Morehead State University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,911 6,905
Admitted 6,643 5,939
Acceptance Rate 84% 86%
Enrolled % 18% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 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

Morehead State University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Morehead State University NKU
Graduation Rate 40% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,400 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $258 $257

Diversity

Morehead State University NKU
% Men 39% 36%
% Women 61% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 89% 82%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Morehead State University NKU
% In-State 82% 66%
% Out-of-State 16% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Morehead State University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 8,807 students)

Morehead State University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Morehead State University or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 10.5% more expensive to attend than Morehead State University for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $9,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.5% higher at NKU than Morehead State University ($20,464.00 vs. $13,966.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Morehead State University ($7,259 vs. $10,991)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morehead State University are 16.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,626 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Morehead State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Morehead State University students is 7.7% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,140 vs. $11,275)

Morehead State University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 21 points higher than at Morehead State University (1047)
  • Incoming Morehead State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Morehead State University 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 Morehead State University (84%)

Morehead State University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Morehead State University 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 Morehead State University.

  • The graduation rate at Morehead State University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (40% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $5,300 more per year than Morehead State University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $34,400)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than Morehead State University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Morehead State University graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Morehead State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

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