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UNM UTEP Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU| Northern Kentucky University | New Mexico State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | NMSU | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Las Cruces, NM | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Midsize Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 14,779 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | #731 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | nmsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | NMSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $6,283 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $23,407 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $12,026 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $8,353 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $15,073 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 97% |
Admission |
NKU | NMSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | 15,201 | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | 11,511 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 75.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | 20.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.55 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 17/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 916/1133 | 885/1110 | ||
| 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 | NMSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NKU | NMSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 46% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $39,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 44% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $17,118 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $176 |
Diversity |
NKU | NMSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 7% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 11% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 30% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 55% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 3% |
Students |
NKU | NMSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 79% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 19% | ||
Campus |
NKU | NMSU | ||
| 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 NMSU based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 14,779 students)
NKU vs. NMSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or NMSU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 67.3% more expensive to attend than NMSU for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $6,283.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11% higher at NMSU than Northern Kentucky University ($23,407.00 vs. $21,096.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than NMSU ($8,151 vs. $8,353)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 3.1% lower than costs at New Mexico State University Main Campus ($11,660 vs. $12,026)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than New Mexico State University Main Campus (98% vs. 97%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 31.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($15,073 vs. $11,492)
NKU vs. NMSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or NMSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NMSU or NKU .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 85 points higher than at NMSU (983)
- Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at NMSU (21)
- Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NKU (3.42)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than NMSU (75.7%)
NKU vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or NMSU? 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 NMSU and NKU.
- The graduation rate at NMSU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (46% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $300 more per year than NMSU graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $39,400)
- New Mexico State University Main Campus students graduate with a $7,832 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($17,118 vs. $24,950)
- NMSU graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($176 vs. $257)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/