NKU vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

NKU vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB ($9,211 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 26.2% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($12,712 vs. $17,234).
• Northern Kentucky University is 42.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $3,309 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at NKU than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $1,533 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at California State University Monterey Bay (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($12,185 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 10 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NKU (3.42).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

NKU vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and CSUMB? 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).

• California State University Monterey Bay's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $10,950 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($14,000 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($144 vs. $257).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.