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WVU Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern WVSU Murray State University Fairmont State WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University University of Charleston| Northern Kentucky University | Marshall University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Huntington, WV | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 11,027 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | #825 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | marshall.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $7,372 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $18,724 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $12,852 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $9,734 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $12,024 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 96% |
Admission |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | 6,499 | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | 6,269 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 96.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 27.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.68 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | 890/1130 | ||
| 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 | Aug 10, 2025 |
Academics |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 44% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $40,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 43% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $23,134 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $239 |
Diversity |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 9% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 17% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 84% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 78% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 22% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Marshall University | ||
| 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
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Marshall University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 11,027 students)
NKU vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Marshall University?
- Northern Kentucky University is 42.6% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,372.00)
- Out of state tuition is 12.7% higher at NKU than Marshall University ($21,096.00 vs. $18,724.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Marshall University ($8,151 vs. $9,734)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 10.2% lower than costs at Marshall University ($11,660 vs. $12,852)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Marshall University (98% vs. 96%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 4.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,024 vs. $11,492)
NKU vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Marshall University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Marshall University or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 40 points higher than at Marshall University (1028)
- Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Marshall University (23)
- Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at NKU (3.42)
- Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than NKU (96%)
NKU vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Marshall 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 Marshall University and NKU.
- The graduation rate at Marshall University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (44% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Marshall University earn on average $500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,200 vs. $39,700)
- Marshall University students graduate with a $1,816 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,134 vs. $24,950)
- Marshall University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($239 vs. $257)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 43%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/