Boise State vs Northern Kentucky University (NKU)

Boise State University and Northern Kentucky University, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Boise State, nestled in the vibrant city of Boise, Idaho, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, providing a diverse and dynamic campus environment. Northern Kentucky University, situated in the charming city of Highland Heights, Kentucky, offers a more intimate learning atmosphere with smaller class sizes and a strong focus on undergraduate education. While both universities excel in various academic programs, Boise State is renowned for its strong engineering and business programs, while Northern Kentucky University shines in nursing, education, and health professions. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
Boise State University logo

Boise State University

Northern Kentucky University logo

Northern Kentucky University

Overview

Location Boise, Idaho Highland Heights, Kentucky
Campus setting City: Midsize Suburb: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 76.0% 70.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 83.1% 80.3%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $40
SAT range N/A 983 - 1210
ACT range N/A 20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 7.0%
Students submitting ACT score 84.0%
Total number of applicants 15,648 6,637
Total number of admissions given out 13,008 5,329
Admitted students who chose to enroll 3,171 1,690
Yield rate 24.4% 31.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,437

Out of state: $41,357
In state: $28,010

Out of state: $38,066
Average net price $15,828 $7,443
Tuition
In state: $5,532

Out of state: $22,452
In state: $10,008

Out of state: $20,064
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,713

Meal plan: $4,609
$11,454
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

76.0%
Average amount $10,476
99.0%
Average amount $10,343
Students receiving federal student loan 40.0%
Average amount $4,982
43.0%
Average amount $4,988
Students taking out private loans 6.0%
Average amount $16,745
3.0%
Average amount $10,090

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 22,404
Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
10,814
Men 39.8% Women 60.2%
Graduate students 3,390
Men 35.8% Women 64.2%
5,165
Men 25.9% Women 74.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 50.4% N/A
International students 1.3% 2.0%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 3,158 1,376
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Idaho California Washington Oregon Nevada Ohio Indiana Florida Maryland

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 20:1 17:1
Institutional accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 53.6% 47.8%
Dropout rate 22.8% 49.3%
Transferred out 19.6% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,319
  • Year 2: $75,047
  • Year 3: $88,314
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,923
  • Year 2: $76,208
  • Year 3: $87,983
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,628
  • Year 2: $72,274
  • Year 3: $87,469
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,383
  • Year 2: $74,786
  • Year 3: $86,815
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,634
  • Year 2: $59,417
  • Year 3: $67,986
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,725
  • Year 2: $60,025
  • Year 3: $66,772
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,061
  • Year 2: $65,621
  • Year 3: $66,199
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,345
  • Year 2: $52,385
  • Year 3: $60,674
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,487
  • Year 2: $60,240
  • Year 3: $59,945
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,480
  • Year 2: $50,022
  • Year 3: $59,773
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $94,408
  • Year 3: $98,497
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,665
  • Year 2: $90,245
  • Year 3: $95,400
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,690
  • Year 2: $101,406
  • Year 3: $91,600
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,069
  • Year 2: $81,333
  • Year 3: $79,768
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,058
  • Year 2: $67,420
  • Year 3: $74,689
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,266
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $72,692
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,922
  • Year 2: $59,071
  • Year 3: $66,724
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,135
  • Year 2: $59,534
  • Year 3: $65,990
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,914
  • Year 2: $56,867
  • Year 3: $62,291
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,900
  • Year 2: $50,856
  • Year 3: $61,904

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