Towson vs Northern Kentucky University (NKU)
Towson University and Northern Kentucky University, both esteemed public universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Towson, located in Maryland, boasts a higher acceptance rate (83%) compared to Northern Kentucky's 78%. While Towson's student body is more diverse, Northern Kentucky has a slightly higher graduation rate (58% vs. 56%). Both universities excel in different areas; Towson is known for its strong programs in education, nursing, and business, while Northern Kentucky shines in engineering, health professions, and business. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings, including popular majors, student demographics, and financial aid options, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Northern Kentucky University |
![]() Towson University |
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Overview |
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Location | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Towson, Maryland |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
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 | 70.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 80.3% | 87.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 983 - 1210 | 1040 - 1220 |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 21 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | 28.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 84.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,637 | 11,616 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,329 | 10,213 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,690 | 2,592 |
Yield rate | 31.7% | 25.4% |
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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,010
Out of state:
$38,066
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In state:
$28,126
Out of state:
$43,178
|
Average net price | $7,443 | $11,076 |
Tuition |
In state:
$10,008
Out of state:
$20,064
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In state:
$7,100
Out of state:
$22,152
|
Room & board | $11,454 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,632
Meal plan:
$6,650
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $10,343 |
73.0%
Average amount $9,261 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $4,988 |
42.0%
Average amount $5,098 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $10,090 |
5.0%
Average amount $15,576 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,814
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
17,907
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
Graduate students |
5,165
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
2,949
Men 22.9% Women 77.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 10.6% |
International students | 2.0% | 1.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,376 | 5,351 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Ohio Indiana Florida Maryland | Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.8% | 72.3% |
Dropout rate | 49.3% | 6.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 18.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
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