NKU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Northern State University 19:1.

NKU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than NSU ($9,211 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 16.6% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($10,600 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 25.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,243 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.4% higher at NKU than at Northern State University (about $9,965 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Northern State University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 60.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($10,332 vs. $6,441).

NKU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming NKU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 35.2% at NSU.

NKU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $551 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($24,399 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($252 vs. $257).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.