NKU vs. Ohio State University-Marion Campus

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

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
Location Highland Heights, KY Marion, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,961 886
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu osu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $8,937
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $34,443
Room & Board $11,660 $10,232
Avg Net Price $8,151 $14,514
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $4,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 -
Admitted 6,162 -
Acceptance Rate 96% Open
Enrolled % 21% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 916/1133
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026 Jul 14, 2026

Academics

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (65%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (5%)
  • English and Literature (3%)

Outcomes

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
Graduation Rate 37% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $222

Diversity

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
% Men 10% 0%
% Women 24% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 82%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
% In-State 71% 100%
% Out-of-State 28% 0%

Campus

NKU Ohio State University-Marion Campus
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Ohio State University-Marion Campus based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 886 students)

NKU vs. Ohio State University-Marion Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Ohio State University-Marion Campus?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 17.6% more expensive to attend than Ohio State University-Marion Campus for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $8,937.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.3% higher at Ohio State University-Marion Campus than Northern Kentucky University ($34,443.00 vs. $21,096.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Ohio State University-Marion Campus ($8,151 vs. $14,514)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio State University Marion Campus are 14% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,232 vs. $11,660)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Ohio State University Marion Campus (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 142.5% larger than aid received Ohio State University Marion Campus ($11,492 vs. $4,739)

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

NKU vs. Ohio State University-Marion Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Ohio State University-Marion Campus? 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 Ohio State University-Marion Campus and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is the same as at Ohio State University Marion Campus (37% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Ohio State University Marion Campus earn on average $10,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Ohio State University Marion Campus students graduate with a $3,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Ohio State University-Marion Campus graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($222 vs. $257)
  • More Ohio State University-Marion Campus 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/