NKU vs. MSU

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

NKU MSU
Location Highland Heights, KY Bozeman, MT
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 15,801 16,681
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #590
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu montana.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU MSU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $5,824
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $27,391
Room & Board $11,248 $11,300
Avg Net Price $7,259 $17,250
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $5,749
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU MSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 28,794
Admitted 5,939 21,116
Acceptance Rate 86% 73.3%
Enrolled % 27.6% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 20/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 1070/1290
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 MSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

NKU MSU
Graduation Rate 37% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $45,800
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $248

Diversity

NKU MSU
% Men 36% 52%
% Women 64% 48%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 86%
% Black 7% 1%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU MSU
% In-State 66% 35%
% Out-of-State 26% 65%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Montana State University is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (16,681 students vs. 15,801 students)

NKU vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or MSU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 75.3% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $5,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.8% higher at MSU than Northern Kentucky University ($27,391.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than MSU ($7,259 vs. $17,250)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 0.5% lower than costs at Montana State University ($11,248 vs. $11,300)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Montana State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 96.1% larger than aid received Montana State University ($11,275 vs. $5,749)

NKU vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Montana State University (1131) is 63 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than MSU (73.3%)

NKU vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at MSU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (51% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Montana State University earn on average $6,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($45,800 vs. $39,700)
  • Montana State University students graduate with a $950 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,950)
  • MSU graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($248 vs. $257)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 53%)

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