Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or NKU? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver ($9,211 vs. $14,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 24.3% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,712 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $36 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Northern Kentucky University (about $8,772 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (98% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($10,332 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University of Denver or NKU? 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 NKU and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NKU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and NKU? 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 Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates have a $700 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($250 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

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.