NKU vs. Dakota State

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

NKU Dakota State
Location Highland Heights, KY Madison, SD
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,801 3,241
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #808
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu dsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Dakota State
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $10,718
Room & Board $11,248 $8,018
Avg Net Price $7,259 $17,977
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $5,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 92%

Admission

NKU Dakota State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 882
Admitted 5,939 696
Acceptance Rate 86% 78.9%
Enrolled % 27.6% 53.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/27
SAT Range 1030/1290 940/1240
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 Dakota State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

NKU Dakota State
Graduation Rate 37% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $242

Diversity

NKU Dakota State
% Men 36% 64%
% Women 64% 36%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 84%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Dakota State
% In-State 66% 58%
% Out-of-State 26% 39%

Campus

NKU Dakota State
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 Dakota State based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,241 students)

NKU vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Dakota State?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 34% more expensive to attend than Dakota State for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 90.9% higher at NKU than Dakota State University ($20,464.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Dakota State ($7,259 vs. $17,977)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 40.3% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,018 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Dakota State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 106.2% larger than aid received Dakota State University ($11,275 vs. $5,467)

NKU vs. Dakota State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 21 points higher than at Dakota State (1047)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Dakota State (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Dakota State (3.33)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Dakota State (78.9%)

NKU vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Dakota State University (37% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Dakota State University earn on average $2,500 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $39,700)
  • Dakota State University students graduate with a $1,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Dakota State graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($242 vs. $257)
  • More Dakota State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 53%)

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