Northern Kentucky University (NKU) vs Murray State
Northern Kentucky University and Murray State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Kentucky, offer distinct educational experiences. NKU, located in the vibrant city of Highland Heights, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. Murray State, nestled in the charming town of Murray, stands out with its lower student-to-faculty ratio, fostering a more personalized learning environment. While NKU excels in fields like business and nursing, Murray State shines in areas such as agriculture and education. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional academic offerings, to determine which university best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Murray State University |
![]() Northern Kentucky University |
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Overview |
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Location | Murray, Kentucky | Highland Heights, Kentucky |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | 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 | 75.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.2% | 80.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
SAT range | 960 - 1200 | 983 - 1210 |
ACT range | 20 - 27 | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 7.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 86.0% | 84.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,144 | 6,637 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,787 | 5,329 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,395 | 1,690 |
Yield rate | 17.9% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$26,219
Out of state:
$35,495
|
In state:
$28,010
Out of state:
$38,066
|
Average net price | $11,237 | $7,443 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,040
Out of state:
$17,316
|
In state:
$10,008
Out of state:
$20,064
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,538
Meal plan:
$4,330
|
$11,454 |
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $11,753 |
99.0%
Average amount $10,343 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $6,997 |
43.0%
Average amount $4,988 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $10,075 |
3.0%
Average amount $10,090 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,651
Men 37.5% Women 62.5% |
10,814
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
Graduate students |
1,763
Men 35.1% Women 64.9% |
5,165
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 5.4% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,064 | 1,376 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Tennessee Indiana Missouri | Ohio Indiana Florida Maryland |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 55.9% | 47.8% |
Dropout rate | 42.8% | 49.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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