NKU vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Marcos is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

NKU vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos ($9,211 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 10.2% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,712 vs. $14,152).
• Northern Kentucky University is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $3,006 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at NKU than at California State University San Marcos (about $1,230 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at California State University San Marcos (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($11,123 vs. $10,332).

NKU vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and NKU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 10 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 953/1150; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Kentucky University 18/25; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NKU - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

NKU vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NKU and California State University-San Marcos? 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 San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $6,955 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($17,995 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($186 vs. $257).
• More California State University-San Marcos 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.