Morehead State University vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Morehead State University in Morehead, 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 Morehead State University based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 8,791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Morehead State University is located in Morehead, KY (Remote Town setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Morehead 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: Morehead State University 16:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Morehead State University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Morehead State University 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 Morehead State University ($9,211 vs. $9,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morehead State University are 13.5% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,994 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Morehead State University (about $1,064 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $10,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.3% higher at NKU than at Morehead State University (about $6,932 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $14,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Morehead State University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Morehead State University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($11,976 vs. $10,332).

Morehead State University vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Morehead State University 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 Morehead State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Morehead State University - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Morehead State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at NKU (3.42).
• Morehead State University has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Morehead State University vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Morehead State University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Morehead State University 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).

• Morehead State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Morehead State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $34,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $50 lower median loan debt than Morehead State University graduates ($24,950 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.