NKU vs. GVSU

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

NKU GVSU
Location Highland Heights, KY Allendale, MI
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,801 21,648
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #583
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU GVSU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $19,856
Room & Board $11,248 $10,140
Avg Net Price $7,259 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

NKU GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 17,123
Admitted 5,939 15,474
Acceptance Rate 86% 90.4%
Enrolled % 27.6% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 21/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 960/1210
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

NKU GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

NKU GVSU
Graduation Rate 37% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $258

Diversity

NKU GVSU
% Men 36% 38%
% Women 64% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 83%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU GVSU
% In-State 66% 91%
% Out-of-State 26% 8%

Campus

NKU GVSU
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

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or GVSU?

  • Grand Valley State University is 36.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.1% higher at NKU than Grand Valley State University ($20,464.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than GVSU ($7,259 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 10.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,140 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 28% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($11,275 vs. $8,811)

NKU vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 22 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (63% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $4,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $50 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($257 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

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