NKU vs. MSOE

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Milwaukee School of Engineering? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or MSOE 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. Milwaukee School of Engineering comparison
Northern Kentucky University Milwaukee School of Engineering College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Overview

NKU MSOE
Location Highland Heights, KY Milwaukee, WI
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 2,729
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #243
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu msoe.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU MSOE
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $44,601
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $44,601
Room & Board $11,248 $12,494
Avg Net Price $7,259 $25,661
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $31,850
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU MSOE
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 5,478
Admitted 5,939 3,477
Acceptance Rate 86% 63.5%
Enrolled % 27.6% 19.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 24/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 1160/1405
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Sep 1, 2024

Academics

NKU MSOE
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Engineering (66%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Communication (1%)

Outcomes

NKU MSOE
Graduation Rate 37% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $68,900
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU MSOE
% Men 36% 71%
% Women 64% 29%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 66%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 13%
% Unknown Race 1% 8%

Students

NKU MSOE
% In-State 66% 58%
% Out-of-State 26% 38%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than MSOE based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 2,729 students)

NKU vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or MSOE?

  • Milwaukee School of Engineering is 336.9% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($44,601.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 117.9% higher at MSOE than Northern Kentucky University ($44,601.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than MSOE ($7,259 vs. $25,661)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 11.1% lower than costs at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($11,248 vs. $12,494)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Milwaukee School of Engineering (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 182.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($31,850 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. MSOE Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1248) is 180 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming MSOE students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman MSOE students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than MSOE (63.5%)

NKU vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at MSOE is higher than Northern Kentucky University (57% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn on average $29,200 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($68,900 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than MSOE graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than MSOE graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 53%)

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