NKU vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 6,822 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Kentucky University 19:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 2.9% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($12,340 vs. $12,712).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern Kentucky University (about $8,538 more per year; $30,450 vs. $21,912).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as at Saginaw Valley State University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 30.8% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($13,512 vs. $10,332).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at NKU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NKU and Saginaw Valley State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Saginaw Valley State University average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at NKU (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.8% at NKU vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($257 vs. $279).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 48%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.