NKU vs. ASU

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

NKU ASU
Location Highland Heights, KY Boone, NC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 20,436
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #594
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu appstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU ASU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $4,242
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $20,246
Room & Board $11,248 $11,582
Avg Net Price $7,259 $13,084
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $7,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 47%

Admission

NKU ASU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 22,255
Admitted 5,939 18,489
Acceptance Rate 86% 83.1%
Enrolled % 27.6% 21.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.96
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 21/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 1100/1270
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

NKU ASU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

NKU ASU
Graduation Rate 37% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $41,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $211

Diversity

NKU ASU
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 85%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU ASU
% In-State 66% 87%
% Out-of-State 26% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (20,436 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or ASU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 140.6% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.1% higher at NKU than Appalachian State University ($20,464.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than ASU ($7,259 vs. $13,084)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 3% lower than costs at Appalachian State University ($11,248 vs. $11,582)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Appalachian State University (100% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 51.5% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($11,275 vs. $7,443)

NKU vs. ASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 89 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than ASU (83.1%)

NKU vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or ASU? 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 ASU and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at ASU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (65% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Appalachian State University earn on average $1,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($41,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $4,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,950)
  • ASU graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($211 vs. $257)
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)

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