NKU vs. Harris-Stowe State University

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

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
Location Highland Heights, KY Saint Louis, MO
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 14,961 1,098
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu hssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $5,808
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $10,440
Room & Board $11,660 $10,084
Avg Net Price $8,151 $9,302
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $11,326
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.04
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (21%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
Graduation Rate 37% 8%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $30,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,025
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
% Men 10% 1%
% Women 24% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 82% 7%
% Black 7% 82%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
% In-State 71% 62%
% Out-of-State 28% 33%

Campus

NKU Harris-Stowe State University
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

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Harris-Stowe State University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,098 students)

NKU vs. Harris-Stowe State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Harris-Stowe State University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 81% more expensive to attend than Harris-Stowe State University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $5,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 102.1% higher at NKU than Harris Stowe State University ($21,096.00 vs. $10,440.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Harris-Stowe State University ($8,151 vs. $9,302)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harris Stowe State University are 15.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,084 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Harris Stowe State University than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 1.5% larger than aid received Harris Stowe State University ($11,492 vs. $11,326)

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

  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Harris-Stowe State University (3.04)

NKU vs. Harris-Stowe State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Harris-Stowe 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 Harris-Stowe State University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Harris Stowe State University (37% vs. 8%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $9,600 more per year than Harris-Stowe State University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $30,100)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,075 lower median federal student loan debt than Harris-Stowe State University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,025)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Harris-Stowe State University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harris-Stowe State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 27%)

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