NKU vs. BGSU

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

 NKU BGSU
Location Highland Heights, KY Bowling Green, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 16,920
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #728
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu bgsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NKU BGSU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $11,272
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $19,845
Room & Board $11,248 $12,584
Avg Net Price $7,259 $20,485
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $8,898
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 NKU BGSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 17,447
Admitted 5,939 13,723
Acceptance Rate 86% 78.7%
Enrolled % 27.6% 21.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 20/25
SAT Range 1030/1290 990/1200
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 NKU BGSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 NKU BGSU
Graduation Rate 37% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $268

Diversity

 NKU BGSU
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 78%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 NKU BGSU
% In-State 66% 88%
% Out-of-State 26% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (16,920 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or BGSU?

  • Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 10.4% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($11,272.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.1% higher at NKU than Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($20,464.00 vs. $19,845.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than BGSU ($7,259 vs. $20,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 11.9% lower than costs at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,248 vs. $12,584)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Bowling Green State University Main Campus (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 26.7% larger than aid received Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($11,275 vs. $8,898)

NKU vs. BGSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 56 points higher than at BGSU (1012)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at BGSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than BGSU (78.7%)

NKU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at BGSU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (58% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn on average $3,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($43,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,050 lower median federal student loan debt than BGSU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than BGSU graduates. ($257 vs. $268)
  • More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 53%)

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