NKU vs. Kent State University at Salem

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

NKU Kent State University at Salem
Location Highland Heights, KY Salem, OH
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 14,961 1,463
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu kent.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Kent State University at Salem
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $7,170
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $16,642
Room & Board $11,660 $11,810
Avg Net Price $8,151 $10,796
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $4,527
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 66%

Admission

NKU Kent State University at Salem
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.27
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 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

NKU Kent State University at Salem
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 24:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Kent State University at Salem
Graduation Rate 37% 19%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $25,825
Median Loan Payment $257 $267

Diversity

NKU Kent State University at Salem
% Men 10% 8%
% Women 24% 14%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 88%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU Kent State University at Salem
% In-State 71% 99%
% Out-of-State 28% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Kent State University at Salem based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 1,463 students)

NKU vs. Kent State University at Salem Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Kent State University at Salem?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 46.6% more expensive to attend than Kent State University at Salem for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,170.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.8% higher at NKU than Kent State University at Salem ($21,096.00 vs. $16,642.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Kent State University at Salem ($8,151 vs. $10,796)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 1.3% lower than costs at Kent State University at Salem ($11,660 vs. $11,810)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Kent State University at Salem (98% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 153.9% larger than aid received Kent State University at Salem ($11,492 vs. $4,527)

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

  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Kent State University at Salem (3.27)

NKU vs. Kent State University at Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Kent State University at Salem (37% vs. 19%)
  • Graduates from Kent State University at Salem earn on average $600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $875 lower median federal student loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,825)
  • NKU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Kent State University at Salem graduates. ($257 vs. $267)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 46%)

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