NKU vs. BGSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Bowling Green State University Main Campus in Bowling Green, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (17,594 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Bowling Green State University Main Campus is in Bowling Green, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 17:1.

NKU vs. BGSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or BGSU? 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 BGSU ($9,211 vs. $24,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 12.4% lower than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus ($12,712 vs. $14,508).
• Bowling Green State University Main Campus is 30.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $3,372 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at BGSU than at Northern Kentucky University (about $536 more per year; $22,448.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 11% larger than aid received by Bowling Green State University Main Campus students ($10,332 vs. $9,310).

NKU vs. BGSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or BGSU? 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 BGSU and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowling Green State University Main Campus (1110) is 60 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming BGSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1000/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; Bowling Green State University Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); BGSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; BGSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BGSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NKU (3.42).
• BGSU has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 20.6% at BGSU.

NKU vs. BGSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and BGSU? 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).

• Bowling Green State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,050 lower median loan debt than BGSU graduates ($24,950 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BGSU graduates ($257 vs. $268).
• More BGSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.