NKU vs. Ferris State University

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

NKU Ferris State University
Location Highland Heights, KY Big Rapids, MI
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 14,961 9,918
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #912 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $10,512 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $21,096 $13,524
Room & Board $11,660 $10,660
Avg Net Price $8,151 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $11,492 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

NKU Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,417 9,548
Admitted 6,162 7,694
Acceptance Rate 96% 80.6%
Enrolled % 21% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/26
SAT Range 916/1133 890/1120
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, 2025

Academics

NKU Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

NKU Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 37% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $257 $250

Diversity

NKU Ferris State University
% Men 10% 3%
% Women 24% 6%
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% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

NKU Ferris State University
% In-State 71% 93%
% Out-of-State 28% 5%

Campus

NKU Ferris State University
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 Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 9,918 students)

NKU vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Ferris State University?

  • Ferris State University is 28.7% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($13,524.00 vs. $10,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56% higher at NKU than Ferris State University ($21,096.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Ferris State University ($8,151 vs. $13,154)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 9.4% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,660 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Ferris State University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ferris State University students is 11.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,823 vs. $11,492)

NKU vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 59 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Ferris State University (80.6%)

NKU vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Ferris State University? 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 Ferris State University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Ferris State University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (45% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Ferris State University earn on average $7,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $771 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($24,179 vs. $24,950)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($250 vs. $257)
  • More Ferris State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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