Match #1
Murray State University-Kentucky
Murray, KY
Profile closeness88/100
Admit rate86%
- 6,688 students
- Public
- Town: Remote
- Graduation rate 56%, close to 54%
- Enrollment 7,651 students, close to 8,246
The colleges most similar to Northern Kentucky University are Murray State University-Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, and Morehead State University. Northern Kentucky University admits 68% of applicants and has an average net price of $8,976 a year; 1 of its 10 alternatives cost less and 9 admit a larger share of applicants, in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Profile closeness (0–100) compares graduation rate, size, admit rate, net price, Carnegie class, and control with Northern Kentucky University. The order also uses CollegesRef matching tiers, so a later match can score higher. Admit-rate bars use a 0–100% scale.
Top 10 alternatives to Northern Kentucky University
Row-wise results ranked by similarity. No curated AI list exists for this school.
Match #2
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY
Profile closeness87/100
Admit rate78%
- 12,318 students
- Public
- Town: Distant
- Graduation rate 51%, close to 54%
- Enrollment 12,318 students, close to 8,246
Match #3
Morehead State University
Morehead, KY
Profile closeness82/100
Admit rate90%
- 8,312 students
- Public
- Town: Remote
- Enrollment 8,312 students, close to 8,246
- Average net price $10,471, close to $8,976
Match #4
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
Profile closeness80/100
Admit rate98%
- 14,729 students
- Public
- City: Small
- Graduation rate 54%, close to 54%
- Same Carnegie classification
Match #5
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
Profile closeness74/100
Admit rate79%
- 14,727 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Graduation rate 60%, close to 54%
- Same control type (public)
Match #6
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Profile closeness51/100
Admit rate93%
- 24,763 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Same control type (public)
Match #7
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY
Profile closeness32/100
Admit rate96%
- 1,309 students
- Public
- Town: Distant
- Same control type (public)
Match #8
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH
Profile closeness91/100
Admit rate84%
- 7,961 students
- Public
- City: Small
- Graduation rate 53%, close to 54%
- Enrollment 7,961 students, close to 8,246
Match #9
University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH
Profile closeness89/100
Admit rate60%
- 9,052 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Graduation rate 53%, close to 54%
- Enrollment 9,052 students, close to 8,246
Match #10
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN
Profile closeness85/100
Admit rate76%
- 8,698 students
- Public
- Town: Remote
- Graduation rate 56%, close to 54%
- Enrollment 8,698 students, close to 8,246
Questions about Northern Kentucky University alternatives
What colleges are similar to Northern Kentucky University?
The closest matches to Northern Kentucky University are Murray State University-Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Western Kentucky University, and University of Louisville. CollegesRef ranks them on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile using IPEDS and College Scorecard data.
Is Northern Kentucky University hard to get into?
Northern Kentucky University admitted 68% of its 6,637 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, so it is moderately selective. 9 of its 10 closest alternatives admit a larger share of applicants.
Which Northern Kentucky University alternatives cost less?
1 of the 10 closest alternatives have a lower average net price than Northern Kentucky University ($8,976 a year), including Murray State University-Kentucky ($7,350). Net price is what first-time, full-time students paid after grants; your own price depends on family income.
