NKU vs. ETSU

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

NKU ETSU
Location Highland Heights, KY Johnson City, TN
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,801 13,483
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #652
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU ETSU
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $7,722
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $11,532
Room & Board $11,248 $9,613
Avg Net Price $7,259 $14,350
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $8,739
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 9,609
Admitted 5,939 8,193
Acceptance Rate 86% 85.3%
Enrolled % 27.6% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 1030/1290 980/1190
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 ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

NKU ETSU
Graduation Rate 37% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $211

Diversity

NKU ETSU
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 82%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU ETSU
% In-State 66% 75%
% Out-of-State 26% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than ETSU based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 13,483 students)

NKU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or ETSU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 32.2% more expensive to attend than ETSU for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $7,722.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.5% higher at NKU than East Tennessee State University ($20,464.00 vs. $11,532.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than ETSU ($7,259 vs. $14,350)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 17% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,613 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 29% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($11,275 vs. $8,739)

NKU vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is the same at ETSU (1068)
  • Incoming NKU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at ETSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than ETSU (85.3%)

NKU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at ETSU is higher than Northern Kentucky University (44% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn on average $300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $39,700)
  • East Tennessee State University students graduate with a $4,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,950)
  • ETSU graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($211 vs. $257)
  • More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

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