NKU vs. Southeast Missouri State University

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

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
Location Highland Heights, KY Cape Girardeau, MO
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 15,801 9,927
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #920
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu semo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $7,761
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $14,331
Room & Board $11,248 $9,954
Avg Net Price $7,259 $14,519
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $8,592
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 7,092
Admitted 5,939 6,121
Acceptance Rate 86% 86.3%
Enrolled % 27.6% 23.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 17/24
SAT Range 1030/1290 970/1180
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, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
Graduation Rate 37% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $22,527
Median Loan Payment $257 $232

Diversity

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
% Men 36% 40%
% Women 64% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 77%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
% In-State 66% 74%
% Out-of-State 26% 19%

Campus

NKU Southeast Missouri State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
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 Southeast Missouri State University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 9,927 students)

NKU vs. Southeast Missouri State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Southeast Missouri State University?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 31.5% more expensive to attend than Southeast Missouri State University for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $7,761.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.8% higher at NKU than Southeast Missouri State University ($20,464.00 vs. $14,331.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Southeast Missouri State University ($7,259 vs. $14,519)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeast Missouri State University are 13% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,954 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Southeast Missouri State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 31.2% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($11,275 vs. $8,592)

NKU vs. Southeast Missouri State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 18 points higher than at Southeast Missouri State University (1050)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Southeast Missouri State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. Southeast Missouri State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Southeast Missouri 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 Southeast Missouri State University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (46% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Southeast Missouri State University earn on average $800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Southeast Missouri State University students graduate with a $2,423 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($22,527 vs. $24,950)
  • Southeast Missouri State University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($232 vs. $257)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University 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/