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 8,618 14,961
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website moreheadstate.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Morehead State University NKU
Tuition (In State) $9,518 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $14,386 $21,096
Room & Board $8,942 $11,660
Avg Net Price $10,017 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $12,802 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

Morehead State University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,818 6,417
Admitted 7,241 6,162
Acceptance Rate 82.1% 96%
Enrolled % 16.9% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 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 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

Morehead State University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
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 3% 10%
% Women 4% 24%
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 83% 71%
% Out-of-State 14% 28%

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 (14,961 students vs. 8,618 students)

Morehead State University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern Kentucky University is 10.4% more expensive to attend than Morehead State University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $9,518.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.6% higher at NKU than Morehead State University ($21,096.00 vs. $14,386.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Morehead State University ($8,151 vs. $10,017)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morehead State University are 30.4% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,942 vs. $11,660)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Morehead State University as Northern Kentucky University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Morehead State University students is 11.4% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,802 vs. $11,492)

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 (96%) than Morehead State University (82.1%)

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/