NKU vs. CMU

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

NKU CMU
Location Highland Heights, KY Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 14,557
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #715
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU CMU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $13,200
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $13,200
Room & Board $11,248 $11,248
Avg Net Price $7,259 $15,605
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $11,314
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

NKU CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 19,888
Admitted 5,939 15,701
Acceptance Rate 86% 78.9%
Enrolled % 27.6% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 21/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 980/1220
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, 2024

Academics

NKU CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

NKU CMU
Graduation Rate 37% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU CMU
% Men 36% 40%
% Women 64% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 79%
% Black 7% 8%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

NKU CMU
% In-State 66% 90%
% Out-of-State 26% 9%

Campus

NKU CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 14,557 students)

NKU vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or CMU?

  • Central Michigan University is 29.3% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55% higher at NKU than Central Michigan University ($20,464.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than CMU ($7,259 vs. $15,605)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 0% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,248 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Central Michigan University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 0.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($11,314 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 19 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than CMU (78.9%)

NKU vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or CMU? 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 CMU and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (54% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $4,800 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/