NKU vs. Austin Peay State University

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

NKU Austin Peay State University
Location Highland Heights, KY Clarksville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 14,961 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $12,552
Room & Board $11,660 $13,070
Avg Net Price $8,151 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

NKU Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 5,559
Admitted 6,162 5,334
Acceptance Rate 96% 96%
Enrolled % 21% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/23
SAT Range 916/1133 943/1165
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 Aug 4, 2026

Academics

NKU Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

NKU Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 37% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $232

Diversity

NKU Austin Peay State University
% Men 10% 4%
% Women 24% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 63%
% Black 7% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 6%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU Austin Peay State University
% In-State 71% 87%
% Out-of-State 28% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 9,945 students)

NKU vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Austin Peay State University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 50% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.1% higher at NKU than Austin Peay State University ($21,096.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Austin Peay State University ($8,151 vs. $14,679)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 12.1% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($11,660 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Austin Peay State University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 2.2% larger than aid received Austin Peay State University ($11,492 vs. $11,247)

NKU vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 57 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (1011)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Austin Peay State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Austin Peay State University (96%)

NKU vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Austin Peay State University? 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 Austin Peay State University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Austin Peay State University (37% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $2,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($232 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay 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/