NKU vs. LSUS

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

NKU LSUS
Location Highland Heights, KY Shreveport, LA
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 14,961 9,736
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #928
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu lsus.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU LSUS
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $5,656
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $5,656
Room & Board $11,660 $11,030
Avg Net Price $8,151 $7,554
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $10,964
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 91%

Admission

NKU LSUS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 949
Admitted 6,162 785
Acceptance Rate 96% 82.7%
Enrolled % 21% 36.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.38
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/24
SAT Range 916/1133 1000/1150
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, 2026

Academics

NKU LSUS
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 27:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

NKU LSUS
Graduation Rate 37% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $39,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 41%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $201

Diversity

NKU LSUS
% Men 10% 29%
% Women 24% 45%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 57%
% Black 7% 23%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

NKU LSUS
% In-State 71% 90%
% Out-of-State 28% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than LSUS based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 9,736 students)

NKU vs. LSUS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or LSUS?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 85.9% more expensive to attend than LSUS for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $5,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 273% higher at NKU than Louisiana State University Shreveport ($21,096.00 vs. $5,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Shreveport than NKU ($7,554 vs. $8,151)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Shreveport are 5.7% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,030 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Louisiana State University Shreveport (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 4.8% larger than aid received Louisiana State University Shreveport ($11,492 vs. $10,964)

NKU vs. LSUS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 39 points higher than at LSUS (1029)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at LSUS (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at LSUS (3.38)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than LSUS (82.7%)

NKU vs. LSUS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Louisiana State University Shreveport (37% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $200 more per year than LSUS graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $39,500)
  • Louisiana State University Shreveport students graduate with a $5,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,950)
  • LSUS graduates are paying $56 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($201 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUS students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 41%)

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