Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State| Northern Kentucky University | Shawnee State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
| Location | Highland Heights, KY | Portsmouth, OH | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 14,961 | 3,206 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | nku.edu | shawnee.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,512 | $9,622 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,096 | $16,157 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,660 | $12,570 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $8,151 | $14,815 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,492 | $7,173 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 82% |
Admission |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,417 | - | ||
| Admitted | 6,162 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 21% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.42 | 3.3 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | 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 |
Academics |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 16:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 22% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,700 | $36,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 36% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,950 | $23,712 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $257 | $245 |
Diversity |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 3% | ||
| % Women | 24% | 4% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 86% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 3% |
Students |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 83% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 28% | 16% | ||
Campus |
NKU | Shawnee State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Shawnee State University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 3,206 students)
NKU vs. Shawnee State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NKU or Shawnee State University?
- Northern Kentucky University is 9.2% more expensive to attend than Shawnee State University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $9,622.00)
- Out of state tuition is 30.6% higher at NKU than Shawnee State University ($21,096.00 vs. $16,157.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Shawnee State University ($8,151 vs. $14,815)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 7.8% lower than costs at Shawnee State University ($11,660 vs. $12,570)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Shawnee State University (98% vs. 82%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 60.2% larger than aid received Shawnee State University ($11,492 vs. $7,173)
Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Shawnee State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shawnee State University or NKU .
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Shawnee State University (3.3)
NKU vs. Shawnee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NKU or Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University and NKU.
- The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Shawnee State University (37% vs. 22%)
- Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $36,300)
- Shawnee State University students graduate with a $1,238 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,712 vs. $24,950)
- Shawnee State University graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($245 vs. $257)
- More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 36%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/