NKU vs. Middle Tennessee State University

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

NKU Middle Tennessee State University
Location Highland Heights, KY Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,801 20,086
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #656
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $7,344
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $26,376
Room & Board $11,248 $9,576
Avg Net Price $7,259 $13,062
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $9,421
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 12,868
Admitted 5,939 9,335
Acceptance Rate 86% 72.5%
Enrolled % 27.6% 30%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 1030/1290 1020/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

NKU Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 37% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $257 $224

Diversity

NKU Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 36% 45%
% Women 64% 55%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 64%
% Black 7% 22%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

NKU Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 66% 89%
% Out-of-State 26% 11%

Campus

NKU Middle Tennessee State 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

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 39% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $7,344.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.9% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Northern Kentucky University ($26,376.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Middle Tennessee State University ($7,259 vs. $13,062)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 17.5% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,576 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Middle Tennessee State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 19.7% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($11,275 vs. $9,421)

NKU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 37 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1031)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Middle Tennessee State University (72.5%)

NKU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Middle Tennessee 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 Middle Tennessee State University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Middle Tennessee State University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (45% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $2,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $39,700)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $3,192 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,758 vs. $24,950)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($224 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

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