NKU vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than ETSU based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 13,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

NKU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or ETSU? 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 ETSU ($9,211 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 17% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,554 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $616 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.9% higher at NKU than at East Tennessee State University (about $7,390 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at East Tennessee State University (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($10,332 vs. $10,101).

NKU vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or ETSU? 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 ETSU and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 40 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

NKU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and ETSU? 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).

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $300 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $4,450 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($211 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

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.