NKU vs. Muskingum

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

NKU Muskingum
Location Highland Heights, KY New Concord, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 2,108
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #878
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu muskingum.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Muskingum
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $30,650
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $30,650
Room & Board $11,660 $12,550
Avg Net Price $8,151 $20,269
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $24,325
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

NKU Muskingum
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 2,623
Admitted 6,162 2,142
Acceptance Rate 96% 81.7%
Enrolled % 21% 17.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 17/22
SAT Range 916/1133 900/1120
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, 2026

Academics

NKU Muskingum
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Muskingum
Graduation Rate 37% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Muskingum
% Men 10% 6%
% Women 24% 22%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 78%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

NKU Muskingum
% In-State 71% 78%
% Out-of-State 28% 22%

Campus

NKU Muskingum
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 Muskingum based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 2,108 students)

NKU vs. Muskingum Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Muskingum?

  • Muskingum University is 191.6% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($30,650.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.3% higher at Muskingum than Northern Kentucky University ($30,650.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Muskingum ($8,151 vs. $20,269)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 7.6% lower than costs at Muskingum University ($11,660 vs. $12,550)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Muskingum University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Muskingum University students is 111.7% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($24,325 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Muskingum Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 84 points higher than at Muskingum (984)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Muskingum (21)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at Muskingum (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Muskingum (81.7%)

NKU vs. Muskingum Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Muskingum is higher than Northern Kentucky University (54% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Muskingum University earn on average $400 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,100 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Muskingum graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Muskingum graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Muskingum graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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