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Michigan WSU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU ISU Oakland UM-Dearborn UIC Purdue| Northern Kentucky University | Michigan State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | East Lansing, MI | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 15,801 | 50,023 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #805 | #240 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | msu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,208 | $15,192 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $20,464 | $41,778 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,248 | $10,990 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $7,259 | $22,803 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,275 | $8,684 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 92% |
Admission |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,905 | 53,341 | ||
| Admitted | 5,939 | 46,914 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86% | 88% | ||
| Enrolled % | 27.6% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.72 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 25/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1030/1290 | 1160/1360 | ||
| 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 |
Academics |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 77% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $60,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 68% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $25,484 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $263 |
Diversity |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 36% | 47% | ||
| % Women | 64% | 53% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 67% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 13% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 66% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 26% | 21% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Michigan State | ||
| 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
- Michigan State University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 15,801 students)
NKU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Michigan State?
- Michigan State University is 48.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $10,208.00)
- Out of state tuition is 104.2% higher at Michigan State than Northern Kentucky University ($41,778.00 vs. $20,464.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Michigan State ($7,259 vs. $22,803)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 2.3% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,990 vs. $11,248)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Michigan State University (100% vs. 92%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 29.8% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($11,275 vs. $8,684)
NKU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Michigan State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Michigan State or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 91 points higher than at NKU (1068)
- Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at NKU (23)
- Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at NKU (3.42)
- Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than NKU (86%)
NKU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State and NKU.
- The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Northern Kentucky University (77% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $20,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $534 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($24,950 vs. $25,484)
- NKU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($257 vs. $263)
- More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/